Epidemiology and Clinical Outcomes of Maxillofacial Fractures in Polytrauma Patients: A Retrospective Analysis

This study aimed to investigate the frequency, etiology, patterns, and clinical outcomes of maxillofacial fractures in multiple trauma patients admitted to Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Babol from December 2019 to December 2022. A retrospective descriptive-analytical study was conducted, analyzing data from 281 multiple trauma patients with concomitant maxillofacial injuries. Demographic and clinical data, including age, gender, injury mechanism, fracture pattern, length of hospital stay, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, and associated injuries, were extracted from hospital records and systematically documented. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22. Among the 281 multiple trauma patients who underwent maxillofacial evaluation, 71.9% were found to have maxillofacial fractures. Mandibular fractures were the most prevalent (36.7%), followed by zygomatic fractures (27.0%), orbital fractures (22.4%), naso-orbito-ethmoid (NOE) complex fractures (19.2%), frontal bone fractures (11.4%), Le Fort fractures (11.4%), and dentoalveolar fractures (5.0%). The findings highlight that mandibular fractures were the most common pattern of maxillofacial fractures in multiple trauma patients, with head and neck injuries being the most frequently associated extracranial trauma. Given the potential for non-cooperation due to pain or altered consciousness in these patients, comprehensive maxillofacial evaluations are crucial to ensure accurate diagnosis, timely intervention, and optimal treatment outcomes. This study underscores the importance of a systematic approach to managing maxillofacial trauma in polytrauma cases to mitigate diagnostic delays and improve patient care.