The epidemiology of mandibular fractures treated at the Toronto general hospital: A review of 246 cases.
BACKGROUND
Mandibular fractures constitute a substantial proportion of cases of maxillofacial trauma. This study investigated the incidence, causes and treatment of mandibular fractures at a hospital in Toronto.


METHODS
The medical records and radiographs for 246 patients treated for mandibular fracture at the Toronto General Hospital over a 51 2-year period (from 1995 to 2000) were reviewed. Data on the patients age, sex, smoking status, alcohol and drug use, mechanism of injury, treatment modality, and post-operative complications were recorded and assessed.


RESULTS
Men 21 to 30 years of age sustained the most mandibular fractures. The ratio of males to females was 5:1. Most fractures were caused by violent assault (53.5%), followed by falls (21.5%) and sports activities (12.2%). Alcohol was a contributing factor at the time of injury in 20.6% of fractures for which this information was available. Nearly half of all cases were treated by open reduction (49.1%). Complications occurred in 5.3% of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence and causes of mandibular fracture reflect trauma patterns within the community and, as such, can provide a guide to the design of programs geared toward prevention and treatment.
Sojot
A J
AJ
Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, 124 Edward St., Toronto, ON M5G 1G6, Canada.
Meisami
T
T
Sandor
G K
GK
Clokie
C M
CM
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D014754:Violence