RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Mandibular fractures constitute a substantial proportion of maxillo-facial trauma cases in Chiang Mai. The present study investigated the prevalence, sex, age group, alcohol consumption, crash helmet use, causes, site, treatment, and postoperative result of mandibular fractures at Chiang Mai University Hospital, Thailand. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The medical records and radiographs of 198 patients treated for mandibular fracture at Chiang Mai University Hospital over a 1.5 year period (from 1 January 2005 to 30 June 2006) were reviewed Data on the patients' age, sex, alcohol and helmet use, mechanism of injury, site of fracture, treatment modality, and post-operative result were recorded and assessed. RESULTS: Men of 21 to 30 years of age sustained the most mandibular fractures. The ratio of males to females was 5:1. Most fractures were caused by motorcycle accidents (MCA) (75.75%), followed by body assault (13.63%), and falls (4.54%). Alcohol consumption was a contributing factor at the time of injury in 79% of fractures according to the information available. The most common fracture sites were, in descending order the parasymphysis (45.3%), angle (19.51%), condyle (15.68%), symphysis (13.24%), body (3.83%), and ramus (2.09%). Nearly 3/4 of all cases were treated by open reduction (76%). CONCLUSION: The incidence and causes of mandibular fracture reflect trauma patterns within the community and can provide a guide to the design of programs geared toward prevention and treatment.