Patterns and characteristics of maxillofacial fractures in women

Facial trauma in women is complex with physical, psychosocial, and cultural influences impacting clinical presentations. Although multifactorial, assaults and falls are principally reported as the main causes.

A retrospective review was conducted from January 2012 to January 2017 at the Women and Children's Hospital and Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide. All maxillofacial fractures in women that attended or were referred to the unit were included in this study. The primary objective was to analyse epidemiological trends of facial fractures and clinical outcomes in the South Australian female population.

There is a bimodal distribution of facial fractures at 25-35 years and 65 + years. Indigenous females were 19.5 years younger than non-indigenous females (30.5 vs 49.9, P < 0.001). Approximately half the cohort had a fall-related facial fracture, followed by assault (26.2%), and sports (10.3%). There was a higher proportion of non-alcohol-related trauma from assaults than alcohol-related assaults (72.5% vs 27.5%, P < 0.001). Over half (58.0%) of the cohort had a midface fracture. The elderly had increased odds of 1.9 fold for facial fractures in winter, largely from falls, compared to younger women. Associated injuries were present in almost half the elderly women with 2.6 times the risk compared to younger women. Younger women had higher incidences of surgical intervention (52.6% vs 14.3%, P < 0.05).

Young women disproportionately experience larger incidences of non-alcohol-related assaults requiring operative intervention of the mandible, whereas elderly women principally suffer fall-related facial fractures with higher rates of associated injuries.