An Epidemiological Analysis Of Maxillofacial Fractures: A 10-Year Cross-Sectional Cohort Retrospective Study Of 1007 Patients

Abstract

Background: Epidemiological data is providing vital indicators for organizing the financial resources related to a particular type of trauma, estimating expenses and training of dental practioners and ambulatory medical staff for collaboration with a certain pattern of patients. Knowing the etiology and epidemiology of a certain pathology is significant for approaching its means of prevention.Methods: A 10-year retrospective statistical analysis of 1007 patients with maxillofacial fractures treated in a University Clinic of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Romania was performed. The data were extracted from patients’ medical records. Statistical analysis was performed. A value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The incidence of maxillofacial fractures was high among patients in the 20-29 age group (35.9%). Male patients (90.57%, M:F=9.6:1), having a low level of education (46.60%) and living in urban areas (53.50%) were more affected. The main cause of maxillofacial fractures was interpersonal violence (59.37%), both in the mandibular and midface topographic regions (p=0.001, p=0.002). In urban areas, fractures caused by interpersonal violence and road traffic accidents were predominant, while in rural areas, most of the fractures were due to interpersonal violence, domestic accidents, work accidents and animal attacks (p=0.001). Conclusions: Interpersonal violence is the main cause of maxillofacial fractures having epidemic proportions. Male patients aged 20-29 years with a low level of education represent the major risk category. Considering the wide area of ​​interpersonal aggression, both the medical staff in the hospital and in the dental offices must be educated in order to collaborate with possible violent patients. Dentists must be prepared to work on a post-traumatic dento-periodontal field. Taking all measures to prevent inter-human aggression is imperative and will lead to a major decrease in maxillofacial fractures and an overall increase of oral health in a population.

Characteristics and management of teeth in the line of mandibular fractures treated with internal fixation

“…There was a predominance of males in this group of patients. Males are at greater risk due to their greater participation in the active population, which increases their exposure to risk factors such as driving vehicles, active social lives, and drug abuse, including the use of alcohol 1,2,4 . The mean age of the patients was the beginning of the fourth decade, with a predominance of the 21–30 years age group.…”

“…The mean age of the patients was the beginning of the fourth decade, with a predominance of the 21–30 years age group. This age group has been described as a phase of great personal independence, intense mobility, careless driving on the roads, and exposure to urban violence 1,2,4 …”

“…Mandibular fractures are frequent in the population, and approximately 56.1–76.3% of these involve areas with teeth 1–4 . Such fractures are considered open and are always in communication with the oral cavity due to the periodontal ligament 5 .…”

LeFort Fractures

“…2 In a retrospective epidemiological study of midface fractures, the highest incidence was among patients aged 20-29 years old (35.9%), with a higher proportion among males (M:F, 9.6:1). 3 In urban settings, most fractures were associated with interpersonal violence and MVAs, compared with in rural area, most fractures were associated with interpersonal violence, domestic accidents, work related accidents, and animal attacks. 3 While integration of airbags and use of seatbelts in cars dramatically reduced facial fractures, 4,5 more attention to prevention of interpersonal violence may offer further reduction in the incidence of facial fractures.…”

“…3 In urban settings, most fractures were associated with interpersonal violence and MVAs, compared with in rural area, most fractures were associated with interpersonal violence, domestic accidents, work related accidents, and animal attacks. 3 While integration of airbags and use of seatbelts in cars dramatically reduced facial fractures, 4,5 more attention to prevention of interpersonal violence may offer further reduction in the incidence of facial fractures. Within the geriatric patient population, the ground level falls are a frequent source of facial fractures and may be indicative of functional decline.…”