Cervical spine fractures associated with maxillofacial trauma: A 3-year-long study in the Greek population.

BACKGROUND: Maxillofacial fractures have been recognized as high risk trauma for concomitant cervical spine or spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of concomitant cervical spine fractures (CSF) in patients with maxillofacial trauma and elucidate their relationship, guiding diagnosis and pointing their implications in maxillofacial trauma repair.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: An analysis of 432 patients with maxillofacial fractures, treated at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the "KAT" General Hospital of Attica during a three-year-long period, was conducted to investigate concomitant CSF.

RESULTS: 22 patients or 5.1% (14 male/8 female, mean age 39.81 years) sustained a total of 29 concomitant CSF. In 77.3% of the cases the injury mechanism was motor vehicle accidents. The most frequent levels of CSF were C6-C7 (55.17%) and C1-C2 (27.58%). Regarding the type/site of maxillofacial fractures, 5 patients (22.73%) had sustained isolated zygomatoorbital, 5 (22.73%) isolated mandibular and 12 (54.54%) combined fractures. Concomitant injuries (i.e. intracranial hemorrhage, cerebral concussion, etc) were registered in 14 patients; additional thoracic/lumbar spine fractures in 5. Hospital stay ranged from 6 to 86 days (mean 27.6 days).

CONCLUSIONS: Maxillofacial surgeons should be aware of the relationship between CSF and maxillofacial fractures, having implications in their patients' treatment.