Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to describe the epidemiology, patterns, and outcomes of facial bone fractures treated at a major trauma center in Hail, Saudi Arabia.
Methods: A retrospective review of all patients presenting with maxillofacial fractures to the Emergency Department of King Khalid Hospital, Hail, was conducted from January 2020 to June 2025. Patients of any age, sex, or nationality with clinically and radiographically confirmed maxillofacial fractures managed by the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery service were included. Demographic data, mechanism of injury, fracture type and site, associated injuries, imaging modality, treatment (conservative versus open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF)), and mortality were recorded.
Results: A total of 150 patients sustained 179 facial fractures, most commonly in Saudi men aged 26–35 years. Nasal fractures were the most common injury, followed by orbital, dentoalveolar, and zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures; mandibular fractures were less common. Road traffic accidents (RTAs) were the leading cause of injury, followed by assaults and falls. Nationality and mechanism of injury were significantly associated with fracture type, whereas sex and age group were not. All fractures were diagnosed using computed tomography. Most patients had no associated systemic injuries; complex multisystem injuries were more likely to be treated with ORIF. Overall mortality was low.
Conclusion: Facial fractures in Hail predominantly affect young Saudi men, with nasal fractures and RTA-related trauma most common. These findings supported targeted road safety initiatives and region-specific prevention strategies to reduce maxillofacial injury burden.

Key words: Maxillofacial fractures, facial bone trauma, road traffic accidents, epidemiology, Saudi Arabia.