Facial Fractures Research Articles

Policy of fourteen maxillofacial divisions towards titanium plates removal after internal fixation of paediatric maxillofacial fractures: A World Oral Maxillofacial Trauma (WORMAT) project

IntroductionThe aim of this 11-year retrospective multicentric study is to evaluate the policy of 14 maxillofacial surgery divisions in terms of titanium plate removal from paediatric patients who had undergone open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) to treat maxillofacial fractures. Material and methodsPatients ≤ 16 years undergoing surgical treatment for fractures of middle and lower third of the face between January 2011 and December 2022, with a minimum follow-up of 6 months, were included. Age (group A: ≤ 6 years, B: 7–12 years, C: 13–16 years), sex, fracture location and type, surgical approach, number, and location of positioned and removed plates, timing and indications for removal were recorded. Results191/383 (50 %) patients (median age, 10 years; M:F ratio 2.1:1) underwent removal of 319/708 (45 %) plates. Maxillary dentoalveolar process (91 %), angle/ramus (63 %) and mandibular body (61 %) had a significantly higher removal rate than other fracture sites (p < 0.001). A significant decreasing trend in removal with increasing age was observed, from 83 % in Group A to 24 % in Group C (p < 0.001). On the total of positioned plates, 11 % were removed for symptomatic reasons (5 % infections, 6 % discomfort/pain) and 34 % for other reasons (28 % scheduled removal). DiscussionThis multicentric study showed that plate removal was not performed routinely in the paediatric population. The incidence and causes of symptomatic plates removal were consistent with the literature, while the plate removal rate from asymptomatic patients was lower. A correlation was found between increasing age and a reduction in the frequency of plate removal procedures.

Anterior Versus Lateral Skull Base Fractures: Differences in Hospital Course and Need for Surgery

Background: Skull base fracture management depends on location, severity, and can range from observation to surgical intervention. A comparison between the different locations of skull base fractures, namely anterior versus lateral, with regards to hospital length of stay (LOS), need for intensive care, and surgery has not been studied. Methods: Patients with skull base fractures between 2012 and 2019 were reviewed. Demographics and inpatient events were collected. Multivariate logistic and linear regressions evaluated the association between fracture location, multiple traumas, loss of consciousness, and mechanism of injury with hospital course and sequalae. Results: There were 134 patients (74.6% male) with skull base fractures (67 anterior and 67 lateral), with an average age of 44.2 years. The mechanism of injury was more likely to be MVCs in anterior fractures and falls in lateral fractures (MVC: 56.7% vs 34.3%; falls: 28.4% vs 44.8%, P = .03). Patients with anterior fractures were more likely to undergo any surgery ( P &lt; .002), and surgeries for facial fractures ( P &lt; .005), but less likely to need ICU care ( P = .01). When admitted, patients with anterior skull base fractures had longer ICU stays ( P = .03). They were also more likely to experience vision difficulties whereas patients with lateral fractures were more likely to experience hearing loss ( P = .02). Conclusion: Patients with lateral skull base fractures are more likely to require an ICU admission compared to anterior fractures, but anterior fractures are more likely to need surgery and have longer ICU stays when admitted. A better understanding of the expected hospital course for patients based on skull base fracture location can improve care-coordination, hospital resource management and patient counseling.

The cost of care in maxillofacial fractures treatment in relation to the type of fixation and length of stay at a tertiary care hospital of Karachi, Pakistan: A retrospective chart review.

In addition to the clinical burden of trauma, the financial burden is an important aspect of care globally, especially for patients in low- and middle-income countries. The current retrospective review was done of data from January 2015 to December 2020 related to patients of oral maxillofacial trauma management in a tertiary care setting. Analysis of variance was used to determine the mean difference in the cost incurred depending upon the type of trauma and the number of bone plates used in fracture management. Pearson correlation was applied to explore any correlation involving patient age, aetiology and type of fracture, number of bone plates employed and the length of stay in the hospital. No statistically significant differences were noted in the cost among the different groups. The cost of care was significantly (p<0.001) correlated to the length of stay. Other variables, such as the type of fractures and the number of plates, had no significant impact (p>0.05).

Comparative Study of Computerized Tomography Imaging of Facial Trauma Using 2D and 3D Reconstruction Scans.

Background The article intends to compare the efficacy of detecting fractures of facial bones in terms of the number of fractures detected, single or multiple involvement, displaced or undisplaced, segmental involvement, and comminuted or non-comminuted using 2D computerized tomography (CT) versus 3DCT for planning optimum treatment. Methodology One hundred patients with suspected facial bone fractures sustained either by assault, road traffic accident, or self-fall on arrival to casualty were examined clinically. Subsequently, palpation was done to detect facial bone fractures. On suspicion, they were subjected to a CT scan of the face in both coronal and axial views. The results were interpreted in the form of bones involved and detection of fractures of the same on both 2D and 3D scans. The acquired images of fractures obtained by 2D scan were reconstructed using software to obtain virtual images of the same by 3D scan to help further delineate which fractures or combination of them are better appreciated on both scans. Result Out of 100 patients, 52 had maxilla fractures, which were better delineated by 3D scans. The detection of zygomatic arch fractures was almost equal on both scans. Mandibular and orbital fractures were better delineated by 3D scans. Conclusion To conclude, we believe that in maxillofacial trauma, 3DCT provides better information than 2DCT, especially with regard to the delineation of fractures and the involvement of single or multiple bones, as it gives a real-time picture of the same. This helpsin planning the management of patients, whether surgical intervention is required or can be managed conservatively.

Epidemiology of maxillofacial trauma in elderly patients receiving oral anticoagulant or antithrombotic medication; a Swiss retrospective study

BackgroundThe percentage of elderly trauma patients under anticoagulation and antiplatelet agents has been rising lately. As newer agents are introduced, each comes with its own advantages and precautions. Our study covered elderly patients admitted to the ED with maxillofacial trauma while on anticoagulation (AC) or antiplatelet therapy (APT). We aimed to investigate the demographic characteristics, causes, and types of maxillofacial trauma, along with concomitant injuries, duration of hospitalisation, haemorrhagic complications, and the overall costs of care in the emergency department (ED).MethodsData were gathered from the ED of Bern University Hospital. In this retrospective analysis, patients over 65 of age were included, who presented at our ED with maxillofacial trauma between 2013 and 2019 while undergoing treatment with therapeutic AC/APT.ResultsThe study involved 188 patients with a median age of 81 years (IQR: 81 [74; 87]), of whom 55.3% (n=104) were male. More than half (54.8%, n=103) were aged 80 years or older. Cardiovascular diseases were present in 69.7% (n=131) of the patients, with the most common indications for AC/APT use being previous thromboembolic events (41.5%, n=78) and atrial fibrillation (25.5%, n=48). The predominant cause of facial injury was falls, accounting for 83.5% (n=157) of cases, followed by bicycle accidents (6.9%, n=13) and road-traffic accidents (5.3%, n=10). The most common primary injuries were fractures of the orbital floor and/or medial/lateral wall (60.1%, n=113), zygomatic bone (30.3%, n=57), followed by isolated orbital floor fractures (23.4%, n=44) and nasal bone fractures (19.1%, n=36). Fractures of the mandible occurred in 14.9% (n=28). Facial hematomas occurred in 68.6% of patients (129 cases), primarily in the midface area. Relevant facial bleeding complications were intracerebral haemorrhage being the most frequent (28.2%, n=53), followed by epistaxis (12.2%, n=23) and retrobulbar/intraorbital hematoma (9%, n=17). Sixteen patients (8.5%) experienced heavy bleeding that required emergency treatment. The in-hospital mortality rate was 2.1% (4 cases).ConclusionsThis study indicates that falls are the leading cause of maxillofacial trauma in the elderly, with the most common diagnoses being orbital, zygomatic, and nasal fractures. Haemorrhagic complications primarily involve facial hematomas, especially in the middle third of the face, with intracerebral haemorrhage being the second most frequent. Surgical intervention for bleeding was required in 8.5% of cases. Given the aging population, it is essential to improve prevention strategies and update safety protocols, particularly for patients on anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy (AC/APT). This can ensure rapid diagnostic imaging and prompt treatment in emergencies.

Maxillofacial defects following road traffic accidents should be included in the disability spectrum.

In India, 21.20% of annual road traffic accidents (RTA) result in maxillofacial injuries, with most victims being young adults aged 18-45 years. Such RTAs cause personal losses to individuals and families and adversely impact the country's health system facilities. These losses result from the expenses for medical care, lost wages for individuals who are rendered unable to work, and lost productivity for family members who must miss work or school in order to care for the injured. Most nations lose 3% of their gross domestic product to road accidents. RTA injuries, often associated with severe morbidity, cause functional impairments and have immense psychological impact. Rehabilitating these patients and their future treatment needs constitute an economic burden to themselves and their families, more so in a developing country like India, where a majority of the population cannot afford the treatment costs and lack health insurance coverage. These injuries therefore, as defined by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health 2001, fall within the ambit of impairment and disability. However, Indian law does not identify maxillofacial injuries and the ensuing trauma as disabilities. Addressing this could be an important step towards improvement in the care and compensation provided to survivors of such life changing accidents.

Retromolar intubation for the general anesthesia of maxillofacial fracture patients

BackgroundEvaluate the possibility of retromolar intubation for general anesthesia in patients with maxillofacial fractures.MethodsThe medical records of 54 patients with maxillofacial fractures who visited the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of Nantong First People’s Hospital from January 2020 to August 2022 were collected. The retromolar areas of each patient were measured from the coronal CT images, and correlated with the patient’s age, sex, type of fracture (i.e., maxillary fracture, mandibular fracture, or complex fracture of multiple maxillofacial bones), and the presence of the third molar (verified from 3D CT). The dimensions of the retromolar areas were finally compared with the outer diameter (OD) of standard endotracheal tubes (ETTs), most importantly the size 7.5 ETT (OD 10.3 mm) for male and the size 7.0 ETT (OD 9.8 mm) for female.ResultsThe survey included 38 male and 16 female patients, with an average age of 44.1 and 54.3 years, respectively. The dimensions of the retromolar area (height × width) were as follows: male, (9.39 ± 1.77) mm × (12.08 ± 0.98) mm on the left and (9.81 ± 2.23) mm × (11.77 ± 1.08) mm on the right; female, (8.82 ± 1.53) mm × (10.51 ± 1.00) mm on the left and (9.73 ± 1.60) mm × (10.63 ± 1.58) mm on the right. The width was always larger than the OD of the routinely used ETT, but the height could be smaller by less than 1 mm. However, the oral mucosa can be compressed to allow the ETT to fit in the retromolar area.ConclusionsThe retromolar area provided appropriate space to place a reinforced ETT for patients with maxillofacial fractures needing general anesthesia that must not interfere with intermaxillary ligation. Retromolar intubation can help maxillofacial fracture surgeries that focus on occlusal restoration.

Scoping an interdisciplinary model of student dental therapists in maxillofacial trauma.

Introduction This paper outlines a short pilot programme to assess the feasibility of an interdisciplinary model of involving student dental therapists in the management of maxillofacial trauma patients. It involved dental therapy students attending an oral and maxillofacial surgery trauma review clinic at a major trauma hospital in London, UK.Approach The small cohort of 15 second-year dental hygiene and therapy (BSc in Oral Health) students attended the trauma clinic once a week in pairs, over a period of six weeks, after which they completed a survey questionnaire.Findings No students had previous experience of dealing with trauma patients. The majority (81.8%) had learnt something by attending the clinic. Almost all (91.7%) had not thought previously about the importance of oral hygiene in maxillofacial trauma patients. By the end of the pilot programme, ten students (83.3%) felt that they had a role to play in the care of these trauma patients and they felt valued as members of the wider team.Conclusion These initial findings suggest that the scheme has potential for incorporation of maxillofacial trauma experience within the formal dental therapy curriculum. This would prepare them for future involvement in the management of maxillofacial trauma patients to promote oral health benefits and more widely, to work as a team member in interprofessional health care.

Emergency Management Patient with Multiple Mid-Lower Face Fracture and Tissue Avulsion of 1/3 Mid Face : A Case Report

Introduction : Facial trauma can be defined as bone and or soft tissue damage in the face region. Severe facial trauma might cause life threatening and permanent damage such as vision loss, unable to speak, swallows and chews because there are many bones, blood vessels, nerves, muscles and sensory organs at the face region. The facial damage could be a facial bone fracture with severe avulsion of facial tissue so two-dimensional and three-dimensional measurement of the wound is taken to assess the size of tissue to be covered. The aim of this case report was to give an explanation regarding the emergency management patient with multiple mid-lower face fracture and tissue avulsion of 1/3 mid face. Case Report : A 46 years old male traffic accident patient came to Emergency Department Hasan Sadikin General Hospital with facial fracture and had a severe avulsion of facial tissue. He also had an active bleeding from his face and based on immediate examination the airway was not clear. The patient has been diagnosed with Le Fort I, right orbital rim inferior aspect, nasal, right zygoma and parasymphisis of mandible bone fracture and Tissue loss at upper lip, nasolabial, left nose, left buccal and Multiple lacerated wound at facial region. He was treated with tracheostomy to clear the airway continued with open reduction internal fixation at right orbital rim inferior aspect, nasal, right zygoma, bilateral maxilla bone and parasymphisis of mandible bone with wound closing using rotational and sliding loco regional flap technique. Conclusion : Emergency treatment on multiple facial fracture with severe avulsion of facial tissue must be done to prevent life threatening condition, permanent damage and also to support the secondary reconstruction. Keywords : Severe avulsion of facial tissue, Mid lower face fracture, Open reduction internal fixation, Rotational flap, Sliding loco regional flap

Sports-related Mandibular Fractures in the Center of Italy: A Retrospective Study.

The main causes of injuries to the lower and middle third of the facial skeleton are traffic accidents, accidental falls, assaults, and sport. Regarding sports-related maxillofacial trauma, an 8-year retrospective study was conducted at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Policlinico Umberto I in Rome, Italy. In all, 329 patients were included, of which we analyzed 35 patients with sports-related mandibular fractures. Specifically, we assessed the type of mandibular fracture reported, age, gender, number of fracture lines, association with other maxillofacial fractures, and treatment options. The causes of sports-related injuries are often multifactorial. Therefore, the aim of our study was to understand the correlation between the type of sport practiced and the most frequently reported pattern of mandibular fracture, highlighting how, depending on the sport, the mechanism of action is different and may correlate with a specific type of mandibular fracture.

Submental Intubation in a Case of Panfacial Fractures in a Paediatric Patient: A Case Report

Maxillofacial fractures can pose a challenge to the anaesthesiologist especially in securing the airway. The oral route of endotracheal intubation is unsuitable in surgical treatment requiring intraoperative maxillomandibular fixation and temporary occlusion of teeth. The nasal route may also pose a problem or may be contraindicated. Tracheostomy is an alternative, though it has a high likelihood of complications. Submental intubation offers an easy, rapid, and efficient substitute for oral and nasal tracheal intubation or tracheostomy in such patients. It does not interfere with the surgical field, provides simultaneous access to the nasal and oral airways, good dental occlusion with minimal morbidity.

Cost-Benefit Analysis of the CT of the Face in the Evaluation of Traumatic Facial Fractures in an Appalachian Tri-state Geriatric Population.

This study aimed to evaluate the cost vs. benefits of the CT face imaging study in the trauma workup of those over the age of 65. We performed a retrospective chart review of 169 trauma patients in our trauma database aged 65 years or older who underwent a CT of the head, a CT of the face, or a CT of the head and CT of the face that resulted in findings of a facial fracture from 2017-2022. Injuries and the treatment they received were documented. If a patient underwent both a CTof the face and a CTof the head, then the author first viewed the CTof the head, documented any injury, and then recorded treatment based on the CT of the head. The CT of the face was then viewed, injuries were recorded, and treatment based on the CT of the face was documented. Statistical analysis was then performed using the paired T-test, McNemar test, and number needed to harm analysis. Of the 169 patients sampled, 159 underwent both CTof the head and the face. There were no patients who underwent a CT of the face exclusively, and only 10 patients underwent a CT of the head exclusively. Of the 159 that had both a CTof the head and the face, the average number of injuries noted on CTof the head + CTof the face vs. CT of the head was 2.42 vs. 1.36, P<.0.0001. The number needed to avoid missing a surgical facial fracture when only a CTof the head was obtained was 14.68. The risks of missing a surgical facial fracture outweigh the monetary, radiation, and patient-desired necessity benefits of only performing a CT of the head. A CT of the face should be included in the trauma workup for those over the age of 65 when facial fractures are suspected.

Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)-Based Diagnosis of Dental Bone Defects.

Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) has completely changed the way that bone disorders are diagnosed and treated, especially in the dental and maxillofacial domains. This article examines the diverse applications of computed tomography (CBCT) in the diagnosis and treatment of facial trauma, including mandibular, dentoalveolar, and other facial fractures, as well as bone abnormalities like dislocations and fractures. CBCT is useful for a wide range of dental conditions and greatly improves diagnostic accuracy in periodontics, orthodontics, endodontics, and dental implantology. Additionally, a comparison between CBCT and conventional imaging methods was conducted, emphasizing the latter's inferior 3D imaging capabilities, allowing for more precise treatment planning and better patient outcomes with CBCT. Although CBCT has many benefits, it also has some drawbacks, such as requiring specific training for accurate interpretation, cost considerations, and a higher radiation exposure than with traditional dental X-rays. In order to optimize benefits and reduce risks, the conclusion highlights CBCT's revolutionary influence on clinical practice while arguing for its prudent and responsible application.

Neglected Superior Ophthalmic Vein Enlargement before Delayed Symptom of Carotid-Cavernous Fistula in a Blowout Fracture: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) is a rare condition. However, it should be suspected when there are traumatic facial fractures, because if not diagnosed, it can lead to permanent damage such as blindness. Traumatic CCF often presents delayed symptoms, and delayed diagnosis without prompt treatment can lead to permanent injuries in optic and cranial nerves III, IV, V, and VI as well as intracranial hemorrhage. The routine initial modality for patients with suspected facial bone fractures is noncontrast computed tomography (CT) to identify any fracture lines and check for intracranial hemorrhage. We report a post-traumatic CCF case with a 4-day symptom delay, where left superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) enlargement was observed on the routine noncontrast facial CT with ipsilateral orbital wall fracture. When the patient first presented to the emergency room (ER), we did not detect vein enlargement on CT. Afterwards, the patient developed delayed symptoms of CCF and was readmitted to the ER. When we reanalyzed the first CT scan, an enlarged SOV was confirmed. The diagnosis was confirmed via magnetic resonance imaging angiography, and the patient was successfully treated with embolization of the fistula. Thus, we recommend reviewing ophthalmic vein enlargement that is readily identifiable through noncontrast CT for patients injured by craniofacial trauma to suspect the presence of delayed CCF at their initial presentation.

Prevalence of Older Hospitalised Adults with Sustained Fractures after a Fall in Regional Australian Hospitals.

Falls commonly occur in hospitals, particularly among older adults. Fractures in the older population can cause major morbidity, which can result in long hospital admissions and increased care costs. This study aimed to characterise the demographics of patients aged 65 years and over who fell in hospital and to determine the type of fractures they sustained. A descriptive study was undertaken to examine hospital data of older inpatients who had a fall during admission in two regional Queensland hospitals in Australia over a 2.5-year period. The prevalence of inpatient falls was 1.28%. Most falls were unwitnessed (77.34%) and they had an average of seven medical comorbidities. The mean age was 80.4 years and 63% were male. Women who fell were significantly older than men (p = 0.004). The mean length of stay of in-hospital fallers was 22.77 days and same admission mortality was 9.3%. Thirty-three fall events (3.8%) resulted in fractures, some with multiple injuries. The most common fracture was neck of femur, followed by rib, femur, and facial fractures. In conclusion, this study identifies the incidence of falls increased with age, most falls were unwitnessed, as well as provides evidence that patients with falls had multiple comorbidities and long hospital admissions. The data could be used to optimise fall prevention strategies and to refine post-fall assessment pathways.

Titanium versus plasma electrolytic oxidation surface-modified magnesium miniplates in a forehead secondary fracture healing model in sheep

Magnesium as a biodegradable material offers promising results in recent studies of different maxillo-facial fracture models. To overcome adverse effects caused by the fast corrosion of pure magnesium in fluid surroundings, various alloys, and surface modifications are tested in animal models. In specified cases, magnesium screws already appeared for clinical use in maxillofacial surgery. The present study aims to compare the bone healing outcome in a non-load-bearing fracture scenario of the forehead in sheep when fixed with standard-sized WE43 magnesium fixation plates and screws with plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) surface modification in contrast to titanium osteosynthesis. Surgery was performed on 24 merino mix sheep. The plates and screws were explanted en-bloc with the surrounding tissue after four and twelve weeks. The outcome of bone healing was investigated with micro-computed tomography, histological, immunohistological, and fluorescence analysis. There was no significant difference between groups concerning the bone volume, bone volume/ total volume, and newly formed bone in volumetric and histological analysis at both times of investigation. The fluorescence analysis revealed a significantly lower signal in the magnesium group after one week, although there was no difference in the number of osteoclasts per mm2. The magnesium group had significantly fewer vessels per mm2 in the healing tissue. In conclusion, the non-inferiority of WE43-based magnesium implants with PEO surface modification was verified concerning fracture healing under non-load-bearing conditions in a defect model. Statement of significanceTitanium implants, the current gold standard of fracture fixation, can lead to adverse effects linked to the implant material and often require surgical removal. Therefore, degradable metals like the magnesium alloy WE43 with plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) surface modification gained interest. Yet, miniplates of this alloy with PEO surface modification have not been examined in a fracture defect model of the facial skeleton in a large animal model. This study shows, for the first time, the non-inferiority of magnesium miniplates compared to titanium miniplates. In radiological and histological analysis, bone healing was undisturbed. Magnesium miniplates can reduce the number of interventions for implant removal, thus reducing the risk for the patient and minimizing the costs.

A trans-eyebrow zig-zag approach for frontal bone fractures✰

Frontal bone fractures are amongst the most common facial fractures and surgical management, which has traditionally involved access via a coronal flap, can result in unsightly scarring, alopecia, paraesthesia, facial nerve weakness and temporal hollowing. Alternative approaches include use of endoscopically-assisted surgery, often through the eyebrow, which minimises the risk of unsightly scarring but may also sacrifice access in the process. In this technical note, we discuss a surgical technique for open reduction and internal fixation of fractures of the bone overlying the frontal sinus and supra-orbital rim, which the authors have not found in the literature, which involves the making of a “zig-zag” incision through the eyebrow in a trichophytic manner which reduces the risk of unsightly scarring whilst simultaneously allowing for sufficient surgical access to the fracture site.

The role of reconstructive plastic surgery in the treatment of victims of the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake

Objective: As a result of the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake, medical institutions experienced a large influx of patients requiring acute multidisciplinary surgical and medical care. This study aimed to evaluate the patient demographics and treatment management of survivors admitted to our reconstructive plastic surgery department. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the age, sex, time under the wreckage, time of admission, types and locations of injuries, treatment modalities, receipt of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and receipt of vacuum-assisted closure therapy of the earthquake victims referred to our department. Results: The definitive management of all 42 earthquake survivors admitted to our department was reviewed. This included five free flaps, four regional flaps, 18 split-thickness skin grafts, and one maxillofacial fracture repair. Eight patients were treated conservatively including two with non-displaced maxillofacial fractures. Of the 26 patients treated for lower extremity injuries, four were already amputees. Among the remaining 22 patients with such injuries, one underwent Charcot amputation plus free flap reconstruction to preserve extremity length and one underwent below-the-knee amputation. Of the 16 upper extremity injuries, two patients referred with extensive forearm necrosis underwent forearm amputation. To preserve extremity length and ensure the limbs were suitable for biomechanical orthoses, free transverse upper gracilis musculocutaneous flaps and free chimeric Anterolateral- Vastus Lateralis musculocutaneous flaps were performed. Conclusion: This study illustrates the value of multi-modal reconstructive plastic surgery in the treatment of disaster survivors, particularly in the management of multi-trauma.

Frequency of Zygomatic Complex Fracture in Patients Presenting to Ayub Teaching Hospital

Zygomatic complex fractures are a prevalent type of facial injury. It often results from road traffic accidents (RTA). It poses significant clinical challenges. Objective: To find out the frequency of zygomatic complex fractures among patients introduced at the Ayub Teaching Hospital. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, Pakistan after approval from IRB (Institutional Review Board) of the Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad, (IRB-F5/Dent/AMC&amp;ATH) from September 1, 2019, to March 1, 2020. A total of 146 patients, including both genders and revealing oral and maxillofacial injury, were essential parts of the research. Before performing meticulous intra and extra-oral clinical examinations and computed tomography (CT) scans in the Department of Radiology to diagnose zygomatic complex fractures. Results: Out of the total number of 146 patients, 33.6% had ZMC fractures. The study involved patients aged 18-60 years. This is consistent with an average age of 31.993 ± 8.00 years and a mean weight of 74.664 ± 9.26 kg. Male patients represented 74.7% of cases and female comprised 25.3%. The primary causes of fractures were road traffic accidents, falls, and sports injuries. Conclusions: The research concluded that zygomatic complex fractures occurred due to road traffic accidents (RTA), which are more common in this region. Thus, the examination highlights the basic requirement for procedures to alleviate street mishaps to abridge such terrible facial injuries.

Pediatric Facial Fracture Associated Craniofacial and Cervical Spine Injury

Management of pediatric facial fractures depends on location and severity, age, and associated injuries. Accurate diagnosis of associated injuries is crucial for effective treatment. This study evaluates the incidence of associated injuries and seeks to determine the influencing factors to provide imaging guidance. A retrospective review of pediatric facial fractures from the American College of Surgeons National Trauma Data Bank from 2017 to 2021 was completed. Associated cervical spine (c-spine), skull fracture, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and intracranial bleeding were evaluated. Demographics, fracture patterns, mechanisms, protective devices, and the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) were reviewed. A total of 44,781 pediatric patients with 65,613 facial fractures were identified. Of the total, 5.47% had a c-spine injury, 21.86% had a skull fracture, 18.82% had TBI, and 5.76% had intracranial bleeding. Multiple fractures significantly increased the rate of all associated cranial and c-spine injuries. Single midface fractures had the highest c-spine, TBI, and intracranial bleeding rates. With increasing age, there was a significant increase in c-spine injury and TBI, while there was a decrease in skull fractures. Motor vehicle accidents and GCS &lt;13 were associated with significantly increased rates of all injuries. Among pediatric patients with facial fractures, 5.47% had a c-spine injury, 21.86% had a skull fracture, 18.82% had TBI, and 5.76% had intracranial bleeding. The authors’ findings recommend c-spine imaging in older age and cranial imaging in younger patients. Multiple facial fractures, fractures of the midface, decreased GCS, and motor vehicle accidents increase the need for both c-spine and cranial imaging.