Epidemiological study of Zygomatic fractures: A Five-year retrospective analysis in a single hospital experience

Abstract

ABackground: Zygomatic complex and arch fractures remain one of the most common maxillofacial fractures. Epidemiological studies of theses fractures vary by geographic region, socioeconomic, environmental and cultural factors. Its importance is confirmed by their implication in the clinical practice and prevention.Patients and Methods: Five-year retrospective study; from May 2015 to April 2020; was conducted on 120 patients with zygomatic fractures in our department. Fracture sites were classified into five types (I-V) based on the number of fractured processes and comminution. Data collected in a clinical sheet and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20. P- value < 0.05 was considered significant. Chi square test was used to compare between 2 or more qualitative variables.Results: Patients aged from 15-78 years old and divided into 4 age groups (A-D). Group B (21- 40 years) was the commonest affected. Males were predominant than females with ratio M: F = (7:1). Motor car accidents was the commonest etiology of trauma (56.60%). Left sided fracture (52.5%) was involved more than right sided one (45%) and fracture was bilateral in 2.5% of cases. Type-IV fracture (classic tetrapod) was the commonest type reported (42 cases, 35 %). Most common fractured process was zygomatic-maxillary buttress (ZM) in 90 cases (75%). Mandibular fracture (15%) was the most common associated facial fractures. Most common accessed approach was the upper buccal in 80 cases (66.6 %). Access through a pre-existing wound was encountered in 10 cases (8.3 %). Four-point fixation (40%) was the commonest point fixation for these fractures. Infra orbital paresthesia (42 cases) was the most common complications encountered.Conclusion: Zygomatic fractures have high morbidity and cost of life. Use of protective devices, strict laws and severe punishments must be implemented to reduce its frequency.