An analysis of 1,210 facial bone fractures in 835 patients: 5 year survey

ABSTRACT

This retrospective study was undertaken to provide information when considering aspects of future prevention and quantifying demand fir medical services. And it comprised 835 patients with facial bone fractures in various accidents and treated in the department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the Yeungnam University Hospital during the past five years from January 1991 to December 1996. The medical records of this 835 patients(1,210 fractures) were reviewed and analyzed in order to obtain the clinical pattern and understand the therapeutic tendency. The following results were obtained; 1. The greatest number of patients were sustained facial bone injuries between midnight and 300. The monthly incidence showed in September at the most and at the least in December. The increase of facial bone injuries of 11.3% per year was shown. 2. The mean age of patients was 30 years. The most prevalent age group was at third decade(31.9%). Males were predominated more than female(3.6 1). 3. The most common cause was traffic accidents(41.6%) followed by violence, fall, industrial accidents and others. 4. The most common fracture was found in the nose(35.1%) followed by mandible(22.6%), zygoma(21.1%), and maxilla(11.2%). 5. Associated injuries were as following order of frequency; ophthalmologic injury(21.0%), other facial bone fractures(18.2%), head injury(10.2%). 6. Open reduction was used for 53.9% of total cases while 40.6% of total cases required closed reduction, and 5.5% of total cases treated conservatively. The complication rate was 18.5% and complications were as following order of frequency; facial asymmetry(37.2%), diplopia and enophthalmos(19.4%), and local infection(12.8%).