Retrospective Analysis of 162 Mandibular Fractures: An Institutional Experience

OBJECTIVES: The objective was to evaluate the age, gender distribution, side and site distribution, etiology, and common patterns of the mandibular fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a systematic retrospective review of records of 94 patients with 162 mandibular fractures treated in a single institution. RESULTS: Of 94 patients, 72 male and 22 female patients belong to the age group of 4–62 years (average 31.57 years). Among the various etiologies, i.e., assault, road traffic accident (RTA), self-fall, workplace injury, and sports-related injury, RTA accounts for 62.76% and self-fall for 18.08% of cases. Of the 100 fractures analyzed, 46% are unilateral fractures and 54% are bilateral. Sides affected among these are left (58%), right (39%), and symphysis or midline (3%). The site distribution is as follows: symphysis – 5; parasymphysis – 64; body – 13; angle – 43; and subcondylar – 37. The most common fracture pattern is the ipsilateral parasymphysis with contralateral angle (21 cases). Open reduction and internal fixation was the predominant modality of treatment. Complications were observed in 27.65% of patients. CONCLUSION: Surveys play a vital role in better understanding the biomechanics of the mandible fractures. Furthermore, analysis of the treatment modalities used and their respective outcomes are of paramount importance in guiding surgeons to evaluate their efficacy.