Demographic, epidemiologic, and surgical characteristics of maxillofacial fracture repair in a developing country.
We conducted a retrospective epidemiologic study to assess demographic data and characteristics of the etiology and management of maxillofacial fractures treated by surgery in Ankara, Turkey, over a 6-year period. We studied 293 maxillofacial fractures in 167 adults-122 men and 45 women (ratio: 2.7:1), aged 17 to 76 years (mean: 33.8). In addition to demographic and etiologic data, study parameters included the time of day, day of the week, and month of the year that the injury had been sustained; the site of the fracture; the length of time between the accident and surgery; and the specific treatment modality. Of the 293 fractures, 177 were midface fractures (60%), 102 were mandibular fractures (35%), and 14 were frontal fractures (5%). The most common causes were motor vehicle accidents (67%), fights/assaults (20%), and falls (9%). Half of all patients were injured on a weekend (including Friday night), and more than half of all patients had been injured from September through December. The most common midface fractures were maxillary fractures (37%), and the most common mandibular fractures were fractures in the symphysis/parasymphysis area (36%). Surgery was performed an average of 6 days following the injury. Open reduction with internal rigid fixation was the choice of treatment for most (82%) fractures. We believe that studies of the demographic and epidemiologic characteristics of maxillofacial fractures in different countries may help guide surgeons in the management of these injuries.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ankara University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey. ozanozgursoy@yahoo.com
Ozan Bagis
OB
Ozgursoy
Togay
T
Muderris
Irfan
I
Yorulmaz
Babur
B
Kucuk
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003710:Demography; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult