[Success rates of midfacial fracture treatment]

295 patients with midfacial fractures were treated on an inpatient basis between 1975 and 1989. 185 patients underwent a follow-up examination. Discomfort was reported by patients in 43% of the cases, whereas pathological clinical findings were observed in 39% of the patients followed up. The late sequelae, which were only slight in extent, were increasing in frequency with the severity of the injury. The use of miniplate osteosynthesis resulted in improved clinical results. Apart from early diagnosis, immediate referral to a specialized hospital and immediate therapy, more emphasis must be placed on interdisciplinary cooperation.