A Retrospective Study on Facial Fractures in Adults: Clinical Research

Abstract

A facial fracture is the breakage of a bone in the skull. This can lead to functional and esthetic disability. Long-term data analysis is instrumental in evaluating current preventive measures and the need for improvement or change. This study aims to record and describe the demographical and etiological pattern for facial fractures presenting to Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Relevant data comprising of patient demographic and clinical details were collected through clinical records from the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Hospital Kuala Lumpur using forms in a retrospective manner from 2010-2015. The data collected were reviewed and analysed using SPSS v.23. A total of 1044 cases were recorded, of which 904 (86.6%) were male. Predominance is seen in the 21-30 years age group (40.3%) and Malay ethnicity (50.9%). Road traffic accidents (702 cases, 67.2%) were the leading cause, with 570 cases (81.2%) involving motorcycles, of these 70.4% occurred in ages below 30 years. Mandible involvement is seen in 624 cases (59.8%), zygoma in 269 cases (25.8%) and maxilla in 191 cases (18.3%). 805 (77.1%) of cases sustained single bone fractures while another 239 (22.9%) had fractures in multiple bones. There is a significant association between GCS less than 8/15 with sustaining multiple fractures (p<0.01). Highest involvements were seen in males and the 21-30 years age group. Road traffic accidents were the most common cause of facial fractures. Most commonly affected bones were the mandible, zygoma and maxilla respectively. Further education and prevention efforts targeted at risk groups are needed to prevent and reduce facial fractures.