Associated Injuries in Patients with Maxillofacial Fractures in Erbil Governorate, Iraq

Background and objectives: Maxillofacial fractures can occur as an isolated fracture or may occur with injuries of other parts of the body. The objective was to find out the frequently occurring concomitant injuries in patients with maxillofacial fractures, in Erbil Governorate, Iraq Methods: Prospective, clinical study performed on 240 patients with maxillofacial fractures, over a six-month period, for concomitant injuries. Results: Males were predominantly affected (62.5%); patients in the 21–30-years age group were most frequently affected (39.6%). Vehicle accident was the most frequent reason of maxillofacial fractures (37.5%) and mandible was the most frequent facial bone involved (47.9%). The study shows that 112 patients (46.6%) had concomitant injuries and head (31.9%) and chest (19.8%) were most commonly involved. Conclusion: Concomitant injuries elsewhere in the body may coexist with maxillofacial fractures in a high proportion of cases. This relationship makes it necessary for the maxillofacial surgeon to be part of a trauma team.