title: Analysis of the pattern of maxillofacial fractures in north western of Iran: A retrospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Maxillofacial fractures can lead to substantial long-term functional, esthetic and psychological complications.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to evaluate these injuries in a Turkish Iranian population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study of 170 patients with 210 maxillofacial fractures admitted to the emergency department of a central referral emergency hospital in the area over a 5 year period is presented. Patients' data included demographic information, etiology, site and associated injuries and complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Road traffic accident was the commonest cause (40%) and the age group of 21-30 comprised the biggest group (30%). Mandibular fractures outnumbered midface fractures (150 vs. 60). Ramus (21.5%) and zygoma (26.5%) were the commonest fracture regions respectively in mandible and midface. Male: female ratio was 3.8:1 Almost half of patients (46%) had sustained associated injuries most of which was soft tissue laceration of the face (17.5%). 22 patient (13%) had associated complication and the hemorrhage was the commonest form of that (9%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It seems that road traffic accidents continue to be the leading cause of maxillofacial fractures and there is an urgent need to implement enhanced regulations and monitoring on motor vehicular traffic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Fractures, Tabriz School of Dentistry, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali Hossein
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Mesgarzadeh
authors.forename: Mohamadreza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shahamfar
authors.forename: Samira Feizi
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Azar
authors.forename: Jafar
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shahamfar