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Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the frequency and etiology of Zygomatic Complex Fractures in oral and maxillofacial trauma patients. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad over a period of six months using a consecutive (nonprobability) sampling technique. The study subjects were 195 fracture patients. Data were entered in SPSS 17 for analysis. Mean with standard deviation was calculated for quantitative variables and percentages and frequencies were calculated for qualitative variables. The overall frequency of zygomatico maxillary-complex [ZMC] fractures was 53(27%) in which road traffic accidents were the highest at 75%, sport injuries were 4%, accidental fall 9% while interpersonal violence was 12%.
Mean age was 27ñ1.26 years and gender distribution showed 77% were male. The study shows an increased frequency of Zygomatic bone fractures in this part of the country. Road traffic accidents were the main etiological factor. Patients in Third decade of life were found more effected.
Key Words: Zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures, etiology, frequency.
INTRODUCTION One of the most prevalent injuries presenting to general and hospital practices alike are maxillofacial in nature, which often tend to be overlooked during initial evaluation.1 Their occurrence in Pakistan paired with various other facial fractures is seen at an alarmingly high rate.2 Outnumbered only by the nasal bone, the Zygoma remains the second facial bone most susceptible to fracture, with men in their third decade of life being the chief victims.3 Its pronounced position within the facial skeleton renders it prone to traumatic force.4 Although the causes of fractures may vary between countries, most can be ascribed to social, cultural and environmental influences.5 Statistics show the prime etiology as being road traffic accidents (RTA) (83.56%), proceeded by accidental falls (8.9%), sport injuries (4.65%), and interpersonal violence (2.81%).6 As is evident from the aforementioned values, road traffic accident stands as the main causative agent, with the right side more commonly involved. This seems to reveal poor road traffic sense amongst users and a general lack of adherence to precautionary safety measures and regulations.7 The zygomatic complex fracture exhibits a wide range of signs and symptoms which includes pain, sensory deficit, deformity or displacement, trismus, ecchymosis (periorbital or maxillary vestibular), a flattened arch...