title: A ten-year analysis of midfacial fractures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With respect to maxillofacial trauma a substantial part consists of midfacial fractures. The distribution of fracture sites seems to be influenced by the cause of the injury, geographic location, local behaviour and socioeconomic trends. This retrospective study presents an investigation of the aetiology and incidence of midfacial fractures in Amsterdam over a period of 10 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study population consisted of 278 patients, 200 males and 78 females, with a mean age of 39.3 (SD: ±16.0) years and a male-female ratio of 2.6:1. Most fractures were found in the age group of 20-29 years for males and the age group of 50 years and older for females. The most common cause of the fractures was traffic related accidents. The main fracture site was the zygomatic complex, followed by the zygomatic arch and the orbital floor. In patients with alcohol consumption, violence was the main cause of injury. Complications consisted mainly of suboptimal fracture reduction, followed by temporary paraesthesia of the infraorbital nerve and wound infection. Complications were treated by retreatment, removal of the osteosynthesis material and antibiotic therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study presents the aetiology and incidence of midfacial fractures in a Dutch population over a period of 10 years. Furthermore our treatment protocols for these fractures are discussed.
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Oral Pathology, VU University Medical Center, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), P.O. Box 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Erik G
authors: EG
authors: Salentijn
authors: Bart
authors: B
authors: van den Bergh
authors: Tymour
authors: T
authors: Forouzanfar
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008440:Maxillary Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D009917:Orbital Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult; D015051:Zygomatic Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Aetiology; Incidence; Maxillofacial trauma; Maxillofacial treatment; Midfacial fractures