Clinical trends in maxillofacial trauma: A retrospective hospital-based study.

Abstract

Objective: To analyze trends in the management of maxillofacial fractures at a tertiary care hospital and identify demographic patterns to guide preventive strategies. Study Design: Retrospective observational study. Setting: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, BAMDC. Period: March to December 2023. Methods: Data from 142 patients who underwent surgical management for maxillofacial fractures were analyzed. Information on demographics, etiology, fracture location, and treatment modality was recorded using a standardized form. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS v22.0, with p ≤ 0.05 considered significant. Results: The majority of patients were male (83.8%) with a mean age of 26.3 years. Road traffic accidents were the most common cause (51.5%), followed by sports injuries (21.1%), falls (19%), and interpersonal violence (8.4%). Mandibular fractures were most frequent (57.7%), followed by zygomatic complex (50.7%) and maxillary fractures (21.8%). Open reduction and internal fixation with intermaxillary fixation was the most used treatment (58.5%). A significant association was found between age groups and the incidence of mandibular versus mid-facial fractures (p = 0.0006). Conclusion: Young males are most affected by maxillofacial fractures, primarily due to road traffic accidents. Targeted preventive measures for high-risk groups are crucial for reducing incidence and improving outcomes.