Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to quantify the prevalence and severity of brain injuries in patients with maxillofacial fractures admitted to our trauma center over an eight-month period. Additionally, it seeks to analyze the correlation between specific patterns of facial fractures and the occurrence of brain injuries to enhance diagnostic accuracy, treatment strategies, and patient outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of medical records from 220 patients who presented with maxillofacial injuries at our center between January 2024 and August 2024 was conducted. Patients with isolated facial fractures and those with associated brain injuries were identified. Clinical parameters, including age, gender, mechanism of injury, type of facial fractures, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score at admission, radiological findings, and treatment outcomes, were reviewed. RESULTS: Out of 220 patients, 154 (70%) had documented brain injuries in addition to maxillofacial trauma. The most common mechanism of injury was motor vehicle accidents (45%), followed by falls (25%), interpersonal violence (20%), and sports and occupational injury (10%). Among the facial fractures, zygomatic fractures were most frequently associated with brain injuries (40%), followed by frontal bone fractures (30%) and mandibular fractures (15%). Patients with associated brain injuries had significantly lower GCS scores upon admission and higher rates of complications, including increased intracranial pressure and longer hospital stays. Surgical intervention for maxillofacial fractures was delayed in 25% of patients with brain injuries due to the need for neurosurgical management. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest a high correlation between certain types of facial fractures and the presence of brain injuries. Early identification of brain injuries in patients with maxillofacial trauma is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes. A multidisciplinary approach involving both maxillofacial surgeons and neurosurgeons is recommended for the management of these complex injuries.