Frequency of Facial Fractures in the Head, Neck and Maxillofacial Surgery Service, Dos de Mayo National Hospital, 1999–2019

Frecuencia de las Fracturas Faciales, Servicio de Cirugía de Cabeza, Cuello y Máxilo-Facial, Hospital Nacional Dos de Mayo 1999-2019

Abstract

Introduction: Facial fractures make up an important group within trauma pathology, their management must be timely to avoid complications, this is how knowledge of their presentation characteristics helps us to do so. Objective: To determine the frequency of facial fractures according to age, sex, causal agent and classification, of patients treated in the Head, Neck and Maxillo-Facial Surgery Service of the Dos de Mayo National Hospital between 1999 and 2019. Material and Method: Descriptive observational non-experimental and cross-sectional study, in which the entire population corresponded to the study sample. Results: 1586 patients studied, 72.4% were between 21 and 40 years old, males accounted for 84.7% and traffic accidents accounted for 40.9% of the causes; a higher incidence was identified in the middle facial third, followed by the lower third and with a notable difference the lower third was the least involved; in some cases, the combination between the fractured facial thirds could also be identified. Conclusions: Mostly patients with ages ranging between 21 and 40 years were affected, with a noticeable greater presence in the male sex, generally caused by traffic accidents; The middle third is mainly affected, with the maxillo-malar complex having a greater incidence here (malar and antral impaction), followed in frequency by the lower third, where we find a greater involvement of its horizontal portion (parasymphysis and mandibular body).