Background: The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of different types of maxillary fractures, concurrent fractures and accompanying signs and symptoms. Trauma is the second cause of mortality in Iran, after cardiovascular diseases. In traumatic patients, head, neck and facial bones fractures are common. The maxillary fractures are seen much less commonly than the fractures of the mandible, zygoma, or nose. Maxillary fractures include: (Le fort I, II, III fractures- alveolar process fracture and Sagittal fracture). The most common cause of maxillary fracture is motor vehicle accidents.
Methods: This descriptive cross sectional study designed on 56 patients with maxillary fractures in a referral educational trauma center of Tehran. Sample size was the patients who referred to this hospital with maxillary fracture during past seven years.
Results: Forty eight (86%) patients were male and 8(14%) were female. Male to female ratio was 6/1. Mean age of patients was 30 years. The most common type of maxillary fracture was infra orbital rim and floor fracture. Among Le fort fracture; Le fort type II was the most common. Paresthesia of infra orbital nerve and malocclusion were more common than the other especial signs of maxillary fracture. Concomitant fracture with maxilla include: zygomatic fracture in 62%, mandibular fracture in 25%, nasoethmoidal fracture in 9% and skull base fracture in 4%. Management of maxillary fracture was reduction of displaced bone fragment and fixation for osteosynthesis. The most common way for osteosynthesis was fixation with miniplate and screw.
Conclusions: Face fractures are a piece of all problems in multiple trauma patients as the tip of iceberg. Early diagnosis of maxillary fractures and immediate treatment will prevent the future deformities and complications.