Mandibular Fracture Patterns in a Rural Setup: A 7-Year Retrospective Study

Aim This study is designed to outline the probable patterns of mandibular fracture based on patient demographics and mechanism of injury in a rural setup. Materials and Methods The data from the record section in our unit belonging to patients who sustained fractures in the maxillofacial skeleton and were treated in our unit between the period June 2012-May 2019 were collected and analyzed. The variables analyzed for the study were etiology, gender, age, and type of fracture. All cases were treated by open reduction and rigid internal fixation. Results A total of 224 patients with maxillofacial fractures were diagnosed, of which 195 were male and 29 were female. The ages ranged from 7 to 70 years. Road traffic accidents are noted to be the most common cause of mandibular fractures. The maximum cases were in the age group of 21-30 years with 85 (38%) patients. In a total of 224 patients, there were 278 mandibular fractures. The maximum incidence of fractures was in the mandibular parasymphysis region with 90 fractures accounting for 32.3% of the mandibular fractures. Males were more susceptible to mandibular fractures. Majority of them sustained mandibular fracture at more than one anatomical area. Conclusion It can be concluded that mandibular fractures are seen predominantly in the second and third decades of life due to road traffic accidents with high-speed vehicles and lack of protective safety accessories. Mandible when it fractured, it usually involved more than one anatomical location.

Automated summary

This study aims to outline the probable patterns of mandibular fracture in a rural setup based on patient demographics and mechanism of injury. The study analyzed data from patients treated in a specific unit between June 2012 and May 2019, and found that road traffic accidents were the most common cause of mandibular fractures. The majority of fractures occurred in males in the age group of 21-30 years. The mandibular parasymphysis region was the most affected anatomical area.