Frequency, etiology and characterstics of zygomatic complex fractures

ABSTRACT

Objective of this study was to find out the frequency, etiology and characteristics of zygomatic complex [ZMC] fractures. Forty patients with ZMC fracture visiting Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad from 27[th] January 2006 to 16[th] June 2006 were included in the study. A detailed history of patients was taken to find out the etiology, followed by clinical and radiographic examination to find out the characteristics of ZMC fractures. There were 31[77.5%] male and 9 [22.5%] female patients. The most common cause of ZMC fractures was Road Traffic Accident [RTA] 17[42.5%] followed by fall 8[20%], Firearm injury [FM] 5[12.5%], earthquake injury [EQI] 4[10%], interpersonal violence [IPV] 3 [7.5%], sports injury 2 [5%] and explosion [EXP] 1 [2.5%]. The most common characteristic of ZMC fracture in this study was periorbital ecchymosis 13 [32.5%] followed by paresthesia 8 [20%], flattening of cheek 6 [15%], subconjunctival ecchymosis 5 [12.5%], epistaxis 5 [12.5%], pain 5 [12.5%], step deformity of orbital margins 4 [10%], trismnus 3 [7.5%], diplopia 3 [7.5%] and buccal sulcus ecchymosis 2 [5%]