Trends of maxillofacial fractures in the Garhwal Himalayas at Government Medical College, Srinagar, Uttarakhand.
BACKGROUND
Evaluation of Maxillofacial fractures in hilly region of Garhwal Himalyas and its relation with age, gender, anatomical location, seasonal variation and treatment provided.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study is to analyze the pattern of maxillofacial fractures in the Garhwal Himalayan region of India and to compare the results with similar studies in India and the rest of the world.


METHODS
This was a prospective study conducted on 102 patients with 128 facial fractures.


METHODS
This study was conducted on 102 patients who were admitted for the treatment of maxillofacial fractures in the Department of Dentistry at Government Medical College, Srinagar, Uttarakhand, India.


METHODS
All analyses were performed using Chi-square test and level of significance.


RESULTS
Peak incidence was noted in the second to fourth decades of life. Male: female ratio was 4:1. Road traffic accident was the main etiology (42.2%), followed by fall (37.2%) and assault (11.8%). Among other etiology of injury, distinguishing feature was bear bite, which was only seen in winters causing 5.9% of total injury. Fall was reported high in females whereas road traffic accident in males. Mandible was fractured in 73.5% of patients while mid-face in 26.5% of patients. Open reduction with internal fixation was the choice of treatment in 60.8% of cases. Nearly 79.4% of patients were treated under local anesthesia. The mean duration of hospitalization was (standard deviation 5.2 days) 5.3 days.


CONCLUSIONS
Road traffic accidents still remain the main cause of maxillofacial fractures in developing countries such as India. In hilly area, road traffic accident can be minimized by better wide roads with guide walls/parapet, strict law enforcement for overspeed, overload, and to use seat belts while driving, and use of helmet while riding two-wheeler. Open reduction internal fixation remains the first choice of treatment in facial fractures due to early return of function with minimal morbidity and better nutritional status in patients compared to closed reduction.
Department of Dentistry, Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali Government Institute of Medical Science and Research, Srinagar, Pauri, Garhwal, India.
Amit
A
Shah
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Seema Dental College, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.
Vijay
V
Nautiyal
Department of Community Medicine, Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali Government Institute of Medical Science and Research, Srinagar, Pauri, Garhwal, India.
Arti
A
Gupta
Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Uttranchal Dental Medical Research Institute, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.
Vikas
V
Ramola
Mandibular fractures; maxillofacial fractures; mid-face trauma; open reduction internal fixation; road traffic accident