title: Changing pattern in the characteristics of maxillofacial fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to assess the changes in the etiology, incidence, and pattern of maxillofacial fractures during 2 different study periods in our department.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective study, patients treated for maxillofacial fractures at our department from January 2000 to December 2009 were included. Data regarding patient's age, sex, etiology of fracture, time of injury, site of fracture, and pattern of fracture were collected and grouped chronologically into two 5-year periods: 2000 to 2004 (period 1) and 2005 to 2009 (period 2); the results of the study during these periods were analyzed and compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1131 patients sustained maxillofacial fractures: 422 in the first period and 709 in the second period. During the second period, the male-female ratio increased from 3.35:1 to 3.63:1. Road traffic accidents remained the major etiologic factor, which increased remarkably from 49.3% to 54.6% (P = 0.085), whereas assault-related injuries decreased significantly from 16.8% to 12.4% (P = 0.039). The proportion of patients with mandibular fractures decreased from 59.6% to 55.3% (P = 0.037), whereas the proportion of patients with midfacial fractures increased from 40.4% to 44.7% (P = 0.037).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The changing pattern of maxillofacial fractures in our center is correlated to the socioeconomic status, population mobility, and etiologic factors. Strict enforcement of traffic laws and regulations is still a focal factor in attaining appreciable reduction in maxillofacial fractures associated with road traffic accidents.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hai-Hua
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ongodia
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Rong-Tao
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Zu-Bing
authors.initials: ZB
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology; D008440:Maxillary Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009917:Orbital Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology; D011157:Population Dynamics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012923:Social Class; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult; D015051:Zygomatic Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology