PATTERN OF PALATINE BONE FRACTURE IN LE-FORT MAXILLARY FRACTURES

Abstract

Background: Palatine bone fracture is a common complication of Le Fort maxillary fracture that can occur in a variety of patterns.

Objective: To identify the morphologic pattern of fractures of the palatine bone in patients presenting with Le Fort maxillary fracture.

Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at the Lady reading hospital, Peshawar and evaluated 171 patients aged between 18-60 years old who presented with Le fort maxillary and palatine fractures. Details of patient demographics, trauma mechanism and fracture patterns (both clinically and from high resolution computed tomography scans) were collected on a pre-designed proforma. Data were analyzed using the SPSS version 26.0.

Results: Results revealed that the mean age of the study population was 36.4 years, and the predominance was very high for males (89.5%). The main cause of injury was road traffic accidents (64.9%) and the most common type of maxillary fracture was Le Fort II fracture (48.0%). The palatine bone fracture patterns were most commonly: sagittal (34.5%), transverse (31.0%), parasagittal (22.2%) and comminuted (12.3%). There was an important statistical relationship found between mechanism of injury and the associated palatal fracture patterns (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Sagittal and transverse patterns are the most common patterns of fracture in Le Fort fractures. These complicated splits are closely related to high-energy trauma, and a detailed CT assessment and individualised rigid intramural fixation is essential to achieving a restored pre-trauma dental occlusion and midfacial width.