Pattern of mandibular fractures resulting from fall

ABSTRACT

Fall is the third commonest cause of mandibular fracture throughout the world while in Pakistan and India it is considered to be the second most common cause. Mandible fracture resulting from fall is of great concern particularly in children because it has been found that in children majority of cases of joint fracture has resulted from fall, and found to have temporomandibular joint [TMJ] ankylosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pattern of mandibular fractures resulting from fall. This will help in the prevention of subsequent complications particularly in children like TMJ ankylosis and aesthetic problems. This is a descriptive [cross sectional] study which was carried out on 60 patients presenting with mandibular fractures resulting from fall to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan from 4th April 2009 to 3rd October 2009. Each patient was thoroughly examined both clinically and radiologically for the site of mandible fracture. The age, gender and site distribution of patients were determined. Majority of the fall injury patients presenting with mandibular fractures were in the 1st decade of life followed by 2nd and 6th decade. In the first three decades of life, males were predominantly involved while the 5th and 6th decade was dominated by female patients with overall male preponderance. The most common pattern of mandibular fracture resulting from fall was combination bony trauma [i.e., more than one mandibular fracture site] and the para-symphysis and condyle were the most frequent mandibular fracture sites both in combination and isolation