Publication:

Incidence of mid facial fractures in armed forces personnel and their families: a retrospective five year study

Background Incidences of mid facial fractures in armed forces personnel and their families is rising due to increase in motorized population and high speed road traffic. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the incidence, etiology, diagnosis, management and complication of mid facial fractures.

Methods A 5 year retrospective study was conducted at tertiary dental care center at Pathankot, Bathinda and Kolkata. Total of 511 cases of midfacial fractures were managed at this centre. 87% of patients were managed with open reduction and internal fixation and 13% indirect reduction and conservative management. All patients were followed up for at least 1 year.

Results 96% patients recovered uneventfully, while 4% patients had post-operative complications such as malocclusion, paraesthesia, enophthalmos, diplopia, facial asymmetry, palpability and exposure of implants.

Conclusions The midface is composed of wafer thin sheets of cortical bones which get fractured easily. It is very important to obtain near to facial form, function and aesthetics by reconstructing the horizontal and vertical buttresses of face.