Maxillofacial fractures resulting from falls

Objective: This study was performed to clarify the characteristics of facial fractures caused by falls with a particular focus on aetiology. Patients: Of 505 patients with facial fractures treated in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial/Craniofacial Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital from January 1997 to May 2001, 129 patients injured by falls were analysed. Study design: Aetiological analysis was performed according to falling patterns. Results: The distribution of age showed two peaks in the 4th and 8th decades, and the male to female ratio was 1.1:1, unlike the overall facial fracture ratio of 3:1. Seventy-six patients had fallen from standing height or less and 44 patients had fallen from greater heights. The former cases were more often seen in older females. More severe injuries tend to be seen in the patients who have fallen from greater heights, and in the cases associated with acute medical disorders. Conclusion: This retrospective study documents the higher risk of fractures in older females and the higher risk of severe injury in those patients who were unconscious. This is in agreement with recent orthopaedic studies. (C) 2003 European Association for Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery.