The Relationship between Mid-face Fractures and Brain Injuries

Received Nov.2011; Received in revised form Dec.2011; Accepted Jan.2012 ABSTRACT Statement of Problem: Although advances in technology have led to improvements in man’s life in different aspects, statistics show that the incidence of fractures is increasing in different regions of the body. Recent studies show that midface fractures are strongly associated with patient's death. The exact relationship between different types of facial fractures and brain injuries is still controversial. Purpose: To evaluate individuals with midface fractures from different causes and determine if there is any relationship between various midface fractures and brain injuries. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional retrospective study, we assessed the hospital charts of all the patients with midface fractures at the trauma center of Poursina hospital. The complete medical record of each patient was reviewed. The etiologic and demographic data, the type of midface fracture and brain injury, and Glasgow coma scale (GCS) were assessed. The data were analyzed by, the Chi-square, and the Fisher’s exact tests. The statistical package SPSS was used for all the analyses. Results: Of all the patients 47% had brain injury. The Important significant correlations were as follows: Le Fort III with Brain Contusion ( p =0.0001), nasal orbital ethmoid fractures with subdural hematoma ( p =0.0001), frontal fracture with subdural hematoma ( p =0.0001). Zygomatic complex fracture with Brain Contusion ( p =0.009). Nasal fracture correlated with Brain Contusion ( p =0.0001). The zygomatic complex fracture was the most prevalent fracture. Conclusion: Different midface fracture patterns have the risk of brain injury simultaneously. So midface fractures need more attention. According to the results, more attention is needed to be paid to driving rules specially the use of helmet and seat belt. * Corresponding author. Vadiati Saberi B., Address: Iran, Guilan, Rasht , School of Dentistry, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Dept. of Peridontology; Tel: 0098-9111356871; Email: [email protected]