Hand-dominance and fracture laterality in maxillofacial traumas: a retrospective study

Objective: In maxillofacial trauma, injuries are known to predominantly affect the left side of the face. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between hand dominance and the laterality of craniofacial fractures. Methods: Clinical records of 513 patients with maxillofacial fractures from January 2019 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 401 right-handed and 112 left-handed patients were evaluated. Accidental falls were the most common cause of injury (50.4%). In patients with fractures on the side opposite the hand dominat, accident falls (78%) and assaults (71%) were the leading causes. The average Facial Injury Severity Score (FISS) was 1.93. A statistically significant association between hand dominance and fracture laterality was found (p-value <0.01) with a phi coefficient of 0.566, indicating a moderate correlation. Conclusion: The results suggest that hand dominance may play a significant role in determining fracture laterality with 86.5% of patients sustained trauma on the side of their non-dominant hand.