A maxilla fracture is a break in the upper jaw (maxilla), which forms the central part of the midface. These fractures are usually caused by high-impact trauma such as road traffic accidents, assaults, falls, or sports injuries.
🔹 Types (Le Fort Classification)
Maxillary fractures are classically divided into Le Fort fractures:
Le Fort I (Horizontal)
Fracture above the teeth, across the lower maxilla
“Floating palate”
Symptoms: mobility of upper teeth/palate
Le Fort II (Pyramidal)
Fracture through nasal bridge, maxilla, and infraorbital rim
Pyramid-shaped
Symptoms: facial swelling, nasal deformity, infraorbital nerve numbness
Le Fort III (Craniofacial disjunction)
Separation of entire midface from skull
Involves orbits and zygoma
Severe, life-threatening
🔹 Clinical Features
Facial pain and swelling
Malocclusion (misaligned teeth)
Mobility of maxilla
Epistaxis (nose bleeding)
Infraorbital nerve anesthesia (cheek numbness)
Diplopia (double vision)
Step deformity of face
🔹 Diagnosis
Clinical examination
CT scan (gold standard)
X-rays (less commonly used now)
🔹 Management
Depends on severity:
1. Initial management (ABCDE trauma care)
Airway (very important due to bleeding/swelling)
Control bleeding
2. Definitive treatment
Conservative (minor, non-displaced fractures)
Surgical (ORIF – Open Reduction and Internal Fixation)
Plates and screws used to stabilize bone
Restore occlusion and facial symmetry
🔹 Complications
Malocclusion
Infection
Facial deformity
Nerve injury
