Zygomatic Fractures: A 10-Year Retrospective Epidemiological Study

Background: Zygomatic fractures are among the most common maxillofacial injuries. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the incidence and causes of zygomatic fractures in patients referring to Tehran Taleghani hospital during a 10-year period. Methods: This descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted on 294 records of patients (248 males and 46 females) with zygomatic fractures selected via census in Tehran Taleghani hospital from 2003 to 2013. Age, gender, cause of fracture, type of treatment modality, and post-operative complications were extracted and reported by using descriptive statistics. Data were analyzed using chi square and Fisher’s exact tests. Results: Most patients were aged 20 - 30 years (n = 121, 42.1%). Car accident (n = 97, 33%), motorcycle accident (n = 89, 30.3%), and fall from height (n = 44, 15.1%) were the most common causes of fractures. The most common associated fracture was mandibular fracture (n = 104, 35.4%). The most common type of zygomatic fracture was zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures (87.3%) treated by open reduction with internal fixation (84.8%). Paresthesia or hypoesthesia of the infraorbital nerve (n = 177, 64.6%) was the most common complication. Periorbital ecchymosis (n = 159, 58%) was the most common ocular complication. Epistaxis (P = 0.01), paresthesia and hypoesthesia of infraorbital nerve (P = 0.016), enophthalmos (P = 0.014), step formation at the inferior orbital rim (P < 0.001), periorbital ecchymosis (P < 0.001), and subconjunctival hemorrhage (P = 0.006) had a higher frequency in ZMC compared to non-ZMC fractures. Conclusions: Zygomatic fractures comprised 22.8% of all maxillofacial injuries and they occurred mainly due to traffic accidents with a higher prevalence in males aged 20 - 30 years. They were mostly treated by open reduction with internal fixation.