Citation

Shere JL, Boole JR, Holtel MR, Amoroso PJ. Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg. 2004; 130(2): 164-170.

Affiliation

Ophthalmology Service, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, WA 98431, USA. Jeffrey.Shere@nw.amedd.army.mil

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.otohns.2003.09.018

PMID

14990911

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: We sought to present the epidemiology associated with 3599 midfacial and 1141 orbital blowout fractures. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted a multicenter, 20-year retrospective analysis of hospitalization data on U.S. Army active duty soldiers. RESULTS: Men composed 96% of the patients, with men aged 20 to 29 years the most affected. Of midfacial and blowout fractures, 54.8% and 70.2% occurred with concomitant injury, with 36.2% and 50.9% sustaining other facial fractures, respectively. Three hundred forty orbital blowout fractures (29.8%) had an associated eye injury. Common mechanisms included fighting and motor vehicle accidents. CONCLUSIONS: Young men comprised the most susceptible population, and assault was the predominant mechanism. A high incidence of concomitant injury in midfacial and orbital blowout fractures, particularly ocular and intracranial injury, emphasizes the importance of a thorough physical examination. SIGNIFICANCE: We report the results from one of the largest series of midfacial and orbital floor blowout fractures from a population that crosses urban, rural, and foreign boundaries.

Language: en