Revista Cubana de Estomatología (Aug 2013)
Behavior of maxillo-malar fractures
Abstract
Introduction: malar bone is one of the most affected bones in facial traumas. It is often fractured and its treatment is common for the maxillofacial surgeon. Objective: to determine the behavior of the maxillo-malar fractures according to age, sex, signs and symptoms, type of fracture, cause, and therapeutic modality used. Methods: a descriptive transversal prospective study was conducted in patients attended with maxillo-malar fractures in the Service of Maxillofacial Surgery of "Calixto García" University Hospital during the period November 2008-May 2011. The results were shown in simple and double-entry tables and percentage was used as summary measure. Results: the behavior by age groups showed 18 patients from 31 to 40 years, 14 from 14 to 50 years, 12 from 18 to 30 years, 11 from 51 to 60 years and 8 of 60 years or older; 44 patients (69.8 %) were male. Physical aggression was the cause of the 41.3 % of fractures, traffic accidents reported the 25.4 %, falls the 19 % and sports accidents reported the 14. 3 % of the cases. 100 % of the patients reported to have pain and the 96.8 % presented facial asymmetry. Grade III fractures were present in the 50.8 %, the 31.8 % had Grade II fractures, and 9,5 and 7.9 % had Grade IV and I fractures, respectively. A combined therapeutic technique was applied in 24 patients. Eyeball tail was used in 16 patients and only in one patient, the coronal approach was decided. Conclusions: of the 63 patients, the male and aged between 31 and 40 years showed the highest number; the most frequent type of fracture was the Grade III one, and physical aggressions followed by traffic accidents were identified as the main causes. The most observed signs and symptoms were pain and facial asymmetry. The most used therapeutic modality was the combined one. Key words: maxillo-malar fracture, zigomatic-orbital fracture, orbital complex fracture, facial trauma, maxillofacial trauma.
