Introduction : The maxillofacial complex injuries represent an important health problem. These fractures are associated with severe morbidity, loss of function, and significant financial cost. The reports variability is due to contributing factors such as environmental, cultural and socioeconomic.

Objectives : The aim of this study is to analyze in a retrospective way the prevalence, ethiology and sociodemographics data of maxillofacial fractures in patients surgically treated at Hospital Carlos Van Buren from Valparaíso, Chile.

Methods : Cross-sectional study was conducted recording all surgically treated patients at the Hospital Carlos Van Buren from 2008 to 2012. The Clinical records were reviewed concerning sociodemographic data, ethiology and clinical patterns of facial fractures.

Results : There were 282 patients with a total of 389 fractures (59.9% manbibular fractures and 40.1% middle third face). A male–female ratio 3:1 with a mean age of 33.3 (SD ±16.5) years. The most common cause of the fractures was violence, followed by Road traffic accidents. Orbitozygomatic complex fractures were the most common surgically treated location (36.5%) followed by mandibular injuries: paramedian (25.5%) and condylar fracture (24%).

Conclusions : Maxillofacial fractures in surgically treated patients showed similar characteristics in terms of affected population but differed at distribution of the location fractures.