Muhammad Ahmad, Shahid Hussain, Saleem A Malik.
Two years review of facial fractures at a tertiary care hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan.
J Liaquat Uni Med Health Sci Jan ;7(1):13-7.

Objective: To present the experience of characteristics and management of facial fractures in a tertiary care Hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan Methods: Study was conducted in the department of Plastic Surgery at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan from January 2002 to December 2003. Only adult patients of either sex were included who presented with facial fractures. Patients below 12 years of age and those having only facial lacerations were excluded. In all cases, plain X-rays, OPG (Orthopantomogram), Water`s view and CT scan (in more severe cases) were obtained. Majority of the patients was operated on routine operation days (Monday to Saturday). All other fractures were managed by Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF) via intra-oral approach (gingivo-buccal incision). Only those fractures were approached from the external wound when the wound lied on the line of fracture. RESULTS: Total 133 fractures were noted in 96 patients. Most of the patients were males (76%) with a male to female ratio of 3.1:1. Mean age of the patients was 36.5 years (range 13 – 79 years). The commonest cause was road traffic accident (53.1%) followed by assault (21.9%). Mandible was the commonest facial bone to be involved (59.4%).. Various associated injuries were also noted in these patients with facial lacerations (29.9%) being the most common. Various treatment modalities were employed including Maxillo-Mandibular Fixation (n=37), lag screws (n=21), microplates (n=23). The most frequent complication was pain and or lower lip paraesthesia. Conclusion: Patients with these injuries must undergo early interventions including reduction and stabilization of fractures. Moreover, ORIF should also be undertaken wherever possible not through an external approach but the intraoral approach.

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