Pattern of mandibular fractures: a study

ABSTRACT

This descriptive study was conducted to evaluate and analyze the pattern of mandibular fractures in 150 patients treated in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar from 1[st] Sep 2004 to 31[st] Dec 2005. These patients were examined both clinically and radiologically for mandibular fractures. Data concerning age, gender, causes of fracture and sites of fracture were evaluated and reviewed. The age range was 2-78 years [mean 24 years] with high frequency occurring in 21-30 years age group. The male to female ratio was 4.11. The leading cause of mandibular fracture was road traffic accident [RTA [n=64; 42.6%]], followed by accidental fall [n= 42; 28%], firearm injury [FAI [N=25; 16.6%]], assault [n=7; 4.6%], sports [n=5; 3.3%], industrial accidents [n=3; 2%] while 4 cases were associated with other causes such as bomb blasts and animal injury. The most common site was parasymphysis [n= 47; 27.4%] followed by angle [n=40; 23.3%] and body [n=38; 22.2%]. This study can guide us to formulate strategies and policies to prevent and treat mandibular fractures