Pattern of mid-facial fractures in Tehran, Iran

One of the highest rates of car accidents and related morbidities and mortalities in the world is reported from Iran. Facial structures are usually injured in such accidents. This study is conducted to find the patterns and etiologies of mid-facial fractures in Iran.

During three consecutive years, patients with mid-facial fractures who were referred to a major oral and maxillofacial surgery center were studied for fracture etiologies and fracture locations.

Two-hundred and forty-three patients with mid-facial fractures were studied. Male-to-female ratio was 4.5-1. The average age of the patients was 31.7 years, but the 20-29 age group bears the highest rate of mid-facial fractures. Forty-four percent of fractures were related to automobile accidents, and 21% were attributed to motorcycle accidents. Other etiologies are 13.2% for collisions, 10.3% for falls, 6.2% for physical abuse, 2.9% for bicycle events, 1.6% for occupational events, and 0.8% for sport events. Most fractures occurred in zygoma followed by Le Fort and nasal bone fractures. More than half of all patients (80% of automobile and motorcycle accidents) were not either fastening the seat belt or wearing protective helmets.

The main etiology of mid-facial fractures is automobile and motorcycle accidents. Protective measures were not observed in the majority of patients.