Clinical patterns and characteristics of midfacial fractures in western romanian population: a 10-year retrospective study

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify the clinical pattern of midfacial fractures and concomitant associated injuries in our geographical area, as well as to correlate them in order to determine the type of fracture with the highest incidence of associated injuries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 10-year retrospective evaluation of midfacial fractures was performed in 379 patients. RESULTS: Zygomatic complex fractures had the highest incidence (n=242, 50%). The majority of the fractures were complete (n=561, 92.42%), closed (n=473, 84.16%) and without displacement (n=454, 80.78%) regardless of the location of the fracture line (p=0.014). All patients had at least one associated soft tissue injury (n=379, 100%). The most frequent associated injury was hematoma (n=308, 73.51%). Hematomas were predominant in the case of single fractures, while lacerations and excoriations were prevalent in the case of multiple fractures (p=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Following trauma of the midface, patients with soft tissue hematomas will most probably have an underlying fracture with a single trajectory, while patients with lacerations will most probably have concomitant multiple bone fractures. Key words:Midface, fracture, trauma, pattern, associated injuries.