Maxillofacial fractures in a Norwegian district.

Records of 169 patients referred to Haukeland Hospital, Bergen, Norway, for treatment of maxillofacial fractures during the period 1989-91 were studied with respect to socio-etiologic aspects, frequency and localization of jaw fractures, treatment, and complications. The number of maxillofacial fractures found in the present study was about twice as many as found in a study from the same area during the period 1974-9. Recent trends in the etiology of maxillofacial traumas were confirmed, such as increased number of fractures caused by interpersonal violence, and a reduction of cases related to traffic accidents. Alcohol abuse was a contributing factor in 28% of the patients. Mandibular fractures were 4.8 times more frequent than maxillary fractures. Reduction and fixation with miniplate osteosynthesis was the preferred treatment in most patients.