From the Guidelines
The most common types of facial fractures, in order of frequency, are nasal bones, orbital floor, zygomaticomaxillary complex, maxillary sinuses, and mandibular ramus. These fractures can result from various causes, including assaults, motor vehicle collisions, falls, sporting activities, gunshot wounds, and occupational accidents 1. The severity and pattern of facial fractures can vary depending on the mechanism of injury, with motor vehicle collisions and gunshot wounds resulting in more severe injuries, and penetrating trauma and assaults producing midface and zygomatic fractures 1.
Key Points to Consider
- Nasal bones are the most commonly fractured, followed by orbital floor, zygomaticomaxillary complex, maxillary sinuses, and mandibular ramus 1
- The mechanism of injury plays a crucial role in determining the type and severity of facial fractures, with motor vehicle collisions and gunshot wounds resulting in more severe injuries 1
- Diagnostic imaging, such as CT scans, is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning, as clinical examination alone may not be sufficient to identify the full extent of facial trauma 1
- Prompt diagnosis and treatment are critical to prevent complications like malocclusion, vision problems, or facial asymmetry, and to restore both function and cosmesis 1
From the Research
Types of Facial Fractures
The most common types of facial fractures include:
- Nasal bone fractures, which are the most common of the fractures of the facial skeleton 2, 3, 4
- Zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures, which are one of the most commonly treated facial fractures 5 and the second most common after nasal bone fractures 4
- Other types of facial fractures, including:
- Naso-orbito-ethmoid fractures
- Orbital fractures
- Maxillary fractures (including Le Fort-type fractures)
- Mandibular fractures
- Frontal sinus fractures 6
Characteristics of Facial Fractures
Facial fractures can be caused by a wide range of activities and mishaps, and the forces required to cause significant injury can be relatively low, especially for nasal fractures 3. The treatment of facial fractures often requires accurate reduction and stable fixation to restore facial symmetry and projection, and to avoid functional sequelae 5.
Classification of Facial Fractures
Facial fractures can be grouped into several categories, including:
- Nasal bone fractures
- Naso-orbito-ethmoid fractures
- Orbital fractures
- Zygomatic fractures
- Maxillary fractures
- Mandibular fractures
- Frontal sinus fractures 6