Cienfuegos MR, Fernández SG, Sierra ME, Papadópulos CAA

Language: Spanish
References: 6
Page: 134-139
PDF size: 131.32 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Palatal fractures are infrequent injuries. They are usually associated with other types of fractures, since they do not occur by themselves. The purpose of this paper was to find out the frequency and morphology of these fractures at the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery of the Hospital de Traumatología y Ortopedia “Lomas Verdes” of the Mexican Institute of Social Security. The medical records of all patients treated for facial fractures during a 57-month period were reviewed retrospectively. The study included 222 patients with midface and panfacial fractures. Forty-five of these patients (20.27%) were found to have some type of palatal fracture. Palatal fractures were more common in men (37; 82.2%) than in women (8, 17.8%). The patients’ average age was 35.4. Patients were grouped according to the classification proposed by Hendrickson in 1998. Palatal fractures were more frequently associated with Le Fort II type fractures, followed by panfacial fractures, and complex midface fractures. Palatal fractures often go undiagnosed and lead to failure in the treatment of facial fractures. Hence, they must be purposefully looked for in order to properly restore stability, masticatory function and the cosmetic aspect of the midface.

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