Characteristics on 621 cases of craniomaxillofacial fractures

This study examined a single center's experience with regards to etiology and distribution of fractures treated from July 2015 to August 2016 in Shanghai, China.

The medical records of 621 patients with craniomaxillofacial fractures were reviewed. Patient notes and radiographic images were analyzed for detailed injury data. Age, gender, etiology, and site of fracture were examined. Chi-square test was used to analyze the causes of single and multiple fractures. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

This study included 426 male and 195 female with a male-to-female ratio of 2.18:1, among which 28.3% were between 19 and 29 years (n = 176). In all the fracture sites, orbit was most commonly involved (n = 319, 51.4%). Traffic accidents (n = 304, 49%) were the most common cause of injury in this study, while ground-level falls were the most common cause of injury in children (n = 19, 41.3%). The probability of multiple fractures due to falling from height (88.6%, p < 0.05) and traffic accidents (73.3%, p < 0.05) were significantly higher than that of other injuries. Orbital fractures have the highest surgical rate (n = 288, 90.3%).

Craniomaxillofacial fractures predominantly occur in young men, due to traffic accidents. Orbit was involved in most cases. Falling from height and traffic accidents is more likely to cause multiple fractures.