A retrospective evaluation of the treatment of viscerocranial fractures in Romania. A study of 1007 patients

Abstract

AIM: The treatment of viscerocranial fractures is complex and involves orthopedic, surgical methods, or combinations of both. The aim of this study is to evaluate the treatment methods applied and the type of materials used in the case of viscerocranial fractures in our geographical area, as well as to assess postoperative complications depending on each type of treatment, the location and the characteristics of the fracture lines.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 10-year retrospective statistical analysis of 1007 patients treated in a Romanian university hospital was performed, the data being collected from patients’ medical records.

RESULTS: The most frequent maxillofacial fractures were located in the mandible (62.16%). The zygomatic bone was the most fractured bone of the midface (44.91%). In the majority of the fractures, displacement of the fractured fragments occurred (84.40%). Most of the patients had a favorable evolution (97.8%) Orthopedic/closed treatment was the most frequent treatment applied (78.15%). This was followed by the greatest number of postoperative complications, while ORIF surgical treatment registered the smallest number of complications (p=0.209). The most frequent postoperative complication was osteitis (74.19%). The highest incidence of postoperative complications was found in the case of fractures in multiple locations and displacement of the fractured fragments (p=0.000).

CONCLUSIONS: The most effective treatment method in the case of maxillofacial fractures is ORIF surgery. The rate of postoperative complications is directly proportional to the number of fracture lines and the degree of bone displacement.