Patterns of Midface and Mandible Fractures in a Government Hospital

Abstract

Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Objective: The prevalence and etiology of facial fractures differ in each country. The aim of this study was to determine the patterns, trauma mechanism, and treatment of midface and mandible fractures in a government hospital in Mexico City. Methods: A three-year cross-sectional study was done at Balbuena General Hospital in Mexico City. The variables of interest were age, gender, place of origin, fracture site, trauma mechanism, and treatment. Between 2016 and 2019, physical and electronic data records of patients that exhibited facial fractures were included. Statistical analyses performed included descriptive analysis and a chi-square test. Results: A total of 490 cases of fractures in the maxillofacial region were reviewed, of which 237 (47%) cases presented fractures in the midface. A higher male ratio (M: F 12:1) was observed. The age range varied between 18 and 80 years, with a mean of 35.58 ± 14 years. The most frequent diagnosis was a zygomatic complex fracture, 37.97%. (n = 90). The most frequent trauma mechanism was interpersonal violence at 55.93% (n = 132) in both places of origin ( P = .06). Conservative treatment was more frequent at 71.67% in intrapersonal violence ( P = .019). Interpersonal violence was more frequent in males at 61.64%, and motor vehicle accident was more frequent in female at 61.11% ( P = .028). Conclusions: The analysis provides information that can help to focus preventive measures regarding facial fractures, especially on efforts to reduce interpersonal violence.