Underestimated Craniomaxillofacial Fractures Due to Firework

Area of Science:

• Trauma surgery
• Craniomaxillofacial surgery
• Public health

Background:

• Chahar Shambeh Soori (CSS) celebrations in Iran involve pyrotechnics, leading to frequent accidents.
• Maxillofacial fractures are a significant consequence, negatively impacting patients' quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess maxillofacial fractures (fx) caused by explosive agents during CSS ceremonies.
• To analyze injury patterns, treatment modalities, and complications.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional descriptive study of 283 patients with maxillofacial fractures from CSS events (2009-2019).
• Data collected included demographics, injury cause, type, site, severity, fracture patterns, treatment, and complications.
• All injuries were managed by Craniomaxillofacial (CMF) surgeons.

Main Results:

• The majority of patients (72.8%) were male, with a mean age of 17.35 years.
• Mid-face fractures were most common, including zygomatic (39.9%), nasal (32.1%), dentoalveolar (63.2%), Le Fort (43.1%), orbital (31.4%), and mandible (43.1%) fractures.
• Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF) was the predominant treatment (77.4%).

Conclusions:

• Maxillofacial fracture patterns and treatment resemble those seen in military or ballistic injuries.
• ORIF is a common and effective treatment for CSS-related maxillofacial trauma.