Fractures of the Mandible: Epidemiological Study of 519 Nigerian Cases

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies despite their limitations provide information that is useful for the formulation of effective and efficient injury prevention strategies. AIM: The aim is to carry out epidemiology study of mandibular fracture in a Nigerian population. SETTING: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika-Zaria, Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study was carried out at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika-Zaria. Data retrieved from patients’ case notes and operating records were subjected to statistical analysis involving frequencies (count, percent), measures of central tendency (mean), and measures of dispersion (standard deviation) using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). Mandibular fracture was classified based on sites, and patients’ socioeconomic status was classified based on United Kingdom National Statistics Socio-economic Classification (NS-SEC, 2010). RESULTS: There were 466 (89.9%) males and 53 (10.1%) females. Based on Socio-economic Classification (NS-SEC, 2010), there was a preponderance of analytical class 6 (n = 217; 54.9%) and 8 (n = 127; 32.2%). Road traffic–related accident (n = 385; 74.2%) was the most common aetiological factor, and a total of 215 (41.4%) patients had a record of loss of consciousness. The mandibular body (n = 225; 32.0%) followed by the parasymphyseal (n = 187; 26.6%) regions were the most fractured sites. Closed-reduction technique was the predominant treatment modality. CONCLUSIONS: A road traffic accident was the most common aetiological factor for mandibular fracture, and the mandibular body had the highest frequency of fractures. Measures aimed at injury prevention should be continually reviewed and updated to limit the morbidity and economic burden on individuals.