title: Fractures in the Maxillofacial Region: A Four Year Retrospective Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The incidence of maxillofacial injuries is on the rise due to motor vehicle accidents and increased incidence of violence in recent times. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the incidence, aetiology, the pattern of fractures, their management with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) and complications, if any.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis of 621 fractures in 361 patients managed by ORIF over a four year period was carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average age of patients was 24.3 years with a male to female ratio of 21.2:1. Panfacial fractures comprised 4.7%, frontal bone fractures 8.9%, orbital fractures 0.7%, naso-orbito-ethmoid complex (NOE) fractures 0.7%, zygomatic complex fractures 23.5%, fracture maxilla 11.5% and mandibular fractures 52.2% of all facial fractures. All the cases were successfully managed by ORIF under general anaesthesia (GA). Complications were noticed in 6.8% of cases in the form of reactive implants in 3.6%, deranged occlusion in 1% and infection at operated site in 1% cases which were managed satisfactorily.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this study reveal sharp annual increase in the number of cases of maxillofacial trauma. Road traffic accidents (RTA) were the commonest cause and the age group most affected was between 20-25 years. ORIF of these fractures was chosen for its obvious advantages of direct anatomical reduction, early return to function and minimal complications.
authors.affiliation: Resident, AFMC, Pune 411 040.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Venugopal
authors.affiliation: Professor & HOD, AFMC, Pune 411 040.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sinha
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor (Department of Dental Surgery), AFMC, Pune 411 040.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Menon
authors.affiliation: Classified Specialist (Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery), MDC (BEG) C/o 56 APO, 'L' Block, New Delhi-110 001.
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Chattopadhyay
authors.affiliation: Dir (E&S), O/o DGDS, Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Army), 'L' Block, New Delhi-110 001.
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Roy Chowdhury
keywords: Inter maxillary fixation (IMF); Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF); Road traffic accidents (RTA)