Summary
Background
With little in the published literature on the conservative management of facial fractures
we set out to determine whether our current criteria for treatment are valid.
Method
Two hundred and thirty adult patients with fractures of the facial skeleton were treated
conservatively by our unit between February 1997 and January 2003. Their notes were
reviewed retrospectively.
Results
Most patients were males (76%), the average age was 38 years, and drugs or alcohol
were a significant aspect of the history in 30% of the cases. The most common mechanism
of injury was assault (47%), followed by falls and sporting injuries. Fifty percent
of the fractures involved the orbital or orbito-zygomatic complex, and 55% had associated
injuries. Average follow-up was for six weeks (range 0–44 weeks). Most patients were
managed conservatively based on our current criteria of un-displaced/minimally displaced
fracture (57%); or minimal/no symptoms (24%). At final review, a number had residual
symptoms, but only three required corrective surgery. The other reasons for conservative
management included patient non-compliance (11%), and medical contraindications (8%).
Conclusion
Our results support current indications for the conservative management of facial
fractures, but emphasise the need for ongoing follow-up of these patients.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 20, 2006
Accepted:
January 1,
2006
Received:
June 24,
2005
Footnotes
☆Paper presented in part at:
- 1.ANZ Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 20th Biennial Conference, Glenelg, Australia; 2003;
- 2.British Association of Plastic Surgeons, London, UK; 2003.
Identification
Copyright
© 2006 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
