Pulmonary functions of patients with isolated mandibular fractures: a preliminary report

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate pulmonary function in patients with mandibular fractures and to determine the pattern of pulmonary functions in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of pulmonary functions in Nigerian non-smoking patients with isolated mandibular fractures managed at our health institution from December 2015 to June 2017. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), and ratio of FEV(1) to FVC (FEV(1)/FVC) were measured for all participants using a portable spirometer just before treatment. The pulmonary indices were compared with the predicted reference values for Nigerians to determine the respiratory pattern. RESULTS: Forty participants consisting of six females (15.0%) and thirty-four males (85.0%) with a female to male ratio of 1:5.7 were included in this study. The mean patient age was 34.5±13.1 years (range, 17–63 years). The mean FVC, FEV(1), FEV(1)/FVC, and PEFR were 3.8±1.2 L, 3.0±1.0 L, 74.3%±13.8%, and 5.2±2.2 L/s, respectively. Comparison of data with predicted values revealed that 17 subjects (42.5%) had normal pulmonary function pattern while 23 subjects (57.5%) had features suggestive of obstructive and restrictive pulmonary function patterns. CONCLUSION: Isolated mandibular fractures presented with abnormal pulmonary function pattern.