Publication:

Evaluation of facial skeleton fractures

Background Fracture of facial bone is most common fracture in humans because of its upper and prominent position. Facial skeleton fractures are classified in to various types, nasal bone fractures, maxillary fractures. It affects all age groups and both sexes. The cause to the injury is due to RTA, assault, accidental fall etc. Majority of the times it is associated with the other fractures. Facial skeleton fractures should not be considered as minor injury. They may preclude to serious complications like septal haematoma, orbital injury, brain injury and CSF leak. Majority of them require conservative management. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and types of facial skeleton fractures in trauma cases for appropriate investigation and treatment for better outcome and to reduce morbidity.

Methods Prospective clinical study of patients who attend to casualty and ENT department and referred by other departments with facial skeleton fractures are evaluated for the period of 6 months.

Results Of 100 patients, 90% were male and 10% female. According to age 1-9 yr: 3%, 10-19 yr: 12%, 30-39 yr: 19%, 40-49 yr: 20%, 50-59 yr: 10%, 60-69 yr: 5% were noted. The most common cause was the road traffic accident (58%) followed by self fall (38%).The most common fracture involved is the nasal bone ( 54%) in isolation, followed by maxilla (23%) and mandible (12%).

Conclusions The patients were mostly males in third decade of life, victims of the RTA being the most commonly affected. The most commonly fractured bone being nose.