Epidemiology of Facial Fractures Secondary to Accidental Falls

Objective: Falls are a common cause of injury, and fracture is a frequent outcome. However, fractures of the facial skeleton are less common than fractures of the limbs. This study examined the epidemiology, pattern, and management of maxillofacial fractures secondary to accidental falls in a tertiary trauma centre.Patients and Methods: The medical records of patients who were treated for maxillofacial fractures from 1996 to 2006 were reviewed retrospectively. Variables examined included demographics, type of fractures, mode of injury, and treatment.Results: 349 patients presented with maxillofacial fractures following accidental falls. The age range was 1 to 95 years, with a mean age of 52 years. Forty nine percent of patients were men. Patients older than 75 years accounted for 26% of all fractures while 18% was accounted for by those in the 16- to 30-year-old group. Sixty five percent of fractures involved the midface. Over half of the patients (52%) were admitted to hospital and 29% of patients required some form of surgery. Alcohol involvement at the time of injury was noted for 19% of patients.Conclusions: Maxillofacial fractures secondary to falls predominantly affected elderly people. The most common site of fracture was the midface. Although most patients were admitted to hospital, surgery was not frequently required.