[35 mandibular fracture cases].
We present 35 cases of mandibular fracture treated at the Suita Municipal Hospital between 1994 and 2002. Results showed a male predominance by 2 to 1 and the highest occurrence of trauma in the 20-29 year age group (31%). Major causes of fractures were traffic accidents (52%), assaults (31%), and falls (17%). The most common fracture sites were, in descending order, the condyle (33%), parasymphysis (25%), angle (22%), body (10%), and ramus (10%). The cause of fractures in patients less than 30 years old is most likely due to traffic accidents and assaults, while that in patients over 30 years old is due to falls. Traffic accidents and falls significantly induce condylar fractures, while assaults significantly induce other fractures. Patients were treated with open reduction with titanium or biodegradable miniplates and screws (n = 30), maxillomandibular fixation alone (n = 2), conservative therapy (n = 1), or treatment at other hospitals (n = 2). The mean period for maxillomandibular fixation was 42 days. In 22 patients with more than 6 months of follow-up, 6 had complications: 4 had pain, 1 had deviation in mouth opening, 1 suffered from noise, and 1 from facial palsy. Patients with condylar fractures had a significantly high incidence of complications. We think that we should further decrease the period for maxillomandibular fixation, increase the application of biodegradable materials, and use methods for condylar fractures more appropriately.
Nishiike
Suetaka
S
Department of Otolaryngology, Suita Municipal Hospital, Suita.
Sakata
Yoshiharu
Y
Kato
Takashi
T
Nagai
Miki
M
Konishi
Masaki
M
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D019248:Jaw Fixation Techniques; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D014025:Titanium
D014025:Titanium