Frequency of mandibular fractures at the angle as a result of maxillofacial trauma

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to determine the vulnerability of the angle of mandible to fracture in maxillofacial injuries. The etiological factors, distribution of age and gender of the patients with mandibular fracture were investigated. 750 patients were seen for maxillofacial trauma during the period 1991-97 at Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar. Out off 750, 546 suffered from mandibular fracture. 412 were males and 134 females. Regarding etiology of the fracture of the mandible road traffic accident [RTA] was the most common cause accounting 356 followed by fall 78, interpersonal violence [IPV] 47, firearm injuries [FAI]29, sports 23 and industrial injuries 13. Fracture of the body of mandible came out to be the frequent site [185 patients] suffered. Angle of the mandible was second most common site and accounted for 125 injuries. Other sites were symphysis [97], condyle [82], dentoalveolar process [38], ramus 16 while coronoid was the rare site [3] patients. Out of the 125 fractures cases at the angle 3[rd] molar were present in 108 cases. Among the total fractures at the angle 102 were favorable while 23 were unfavorable