Demographic, epidemiologic, and surgical characteristics of maxillofacial fracture repair in a developing country.

We conducted a retrospective epidemiologic study to assess demographic data and characteristics of the etiology and management of maxillofacial fractures treated by surgery in Ankara, Turkey, over a 6-year period. We studied 293 maxillofacial fractures in 167 adults-122 men and 45 women (ratio: 2.7:1), aged 17 to 76 years (mean: 33.8). In addition to demographic and etiologic data, study parameters included the time of day, day of the week, and month of the year that the injury had been sustained; the site of the fracture; the length of time between the accident and surgery; and the specific treatment modality. Of the 293 fractures, 177 were midface fractures (60%), 102 were mandibular fractures (35%), and 14 were frontal fractures (5%). The most common causes were motor vehicle accidents (67%), fights/assaults (20%), and falls (9%). Half of all patients were injured on a weekend (including Friday night), and more than half of all patients had been injured from September through December. The most common midface fractures were maxillary fractures (37%), and the most common mandibular fractures were fractures in the symphysis/parasymphysis area (36%). Surgery was performed an average of 6 days following the injury. Open reduction with internal rigid fixation was the choice of treatment for most (82%) fractures. We believe that studies of the demographic and epidemiologic characteristics of maxillofacial fractures in different countries may help guide surgeons in the management of these injuries.