An epidemiologic analysis of 1,142 maxillofacial fractures and concomitant injuries

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and etiology of maxillofacial fractures in the Greek population over the past 5 years. A comparison of findings with 2 earlier studies from the same department was also performed.

Study design: Seven hundred twenty-seven patients treated for a total of 1,142 facial fractures in the period from 2005 to 2009 were included in a retrospective, clinical, and epidemiologic study. Cause, type, site of injury, gender, age, and nationality of the patient were the parameters evaluated.

Results: Road traffic accidents remained the most common cause of injury (50.8%) followed by assaults (26.3%), falls (13.8%), work-related injuries (3.2%), and sport injuries (3%).

Conclusions: Road traffic accidents remain the most frequent etiology of maxillofacial fractures. Fractures of the facial skeleton caused by assault increased significantly in the period assessed. Concomitant injuries were most frequently associated with motorcycle accidents.