Changing Trends of Maxillofacial Fractures in Tumkur - A Prospective Study.

Abstract

Introduction: This study was conducted to evaluate the pattern of maxillofacial fractures in Tumkur city over a decade and to compare the results with similar studies from India and the rest of the world.

Materials and methods: Conducted over a decade, this study included patients requiring treatment of maxillofacial fractures in Tumkur city from October 2013 to November 2023.

Results: Peak incidence was noted in the third to fifth decades of life with a mean age of 29.4 ± 2.3 years. Male: female ratio was 4.7:1. The aetiological factors for maxillofacial injuries were: falls (48.5%), road traffic accidents (RTA) (40.3%) and assaults (11.2%). Midface fractures accounted for 54.7% of cases, mandibular fractures for 34.5% and fractures of cranial tables in 10.8%. Open reduction with internal fixation was the most pre-dominant choice of treatment with a conservative mode of treatment in <6% of cases. The mean duration of hospitalisation was 5.3 days.

Discussion: he territorial region of Tumkur and its associated culture have shown a unique result of falls (self, coconut) being the major reason for maxillofacial fractures in the Tumkur district. RTAs still remain one of the main causes of maxillofacial fractures in developing countries such as India. Open reduction internal fixation remains the first choice of treatment in facial fractures due to early return of function with minimal morbidity and better nutritional status in patients compared to closed reduction.