A Retrospective Study of Maxillofacial Fractures at a Tertiary Care Centre in North India: A Review of 1674 Cases

ObjectiveTo examine the pattern of maxillofacial fractures in patients treated at the SMS Hospital in Jaipur, India, over a two-year period.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted from October 2019 to September 2021, which recorded various data of patients with maxillofacial fractures, including age, sex, site distribution, cause of injury, type of facial bone fractures, soft tissue injuries, dentoalveolar trauma, and type of treatment. The days spent in the hospital before and after surgery were also recorded.ResultsThe study included 1674 patients, with a male-to-female ratio of 4.07:1 and males being the most affected at 80.3%. The most common cause of injury was road traffic accidents (53.5%), followed by falls (18.6%) and assaults (16.1%). Mandibular fractures accounted for 38% of all fractures, with the parasymphysis being the most common site for fractures. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) and intermaxillary fixation (IMF) were the most common treatment options for mandibular fractures.ConclusionThe study highlights the need for strict enforcement of traffic rules and road safety laws, along with education and preventive measures to reduce the incidence of maxillofacial trauma. The pattern of maxillofacial injuries can provide useful information for designing programs towards the prevention and management of maxillofacial trauma.