title: [A retrospective analysis of 204 mandibular fractures].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We retrospectively reviewed patients who were treated and followed-up for mandibular fractures within a 10-year period.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 204 patients (158 males, 46 females; mean age 22.4 years; range 5 to 72 years) were retrospectively evaluated with respect to age groups, sex, etiology, associated injuries, localization and type of the fractures, treatment methods, and early and late complications. The follow-up period ranged from four months to 10 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most common cause of injury was traffic accidents (44.1%), followed by falling (31.8%), and violence (17.1%). The highest incidence occurred at ages 21 to 30 years. Of 283 fractures detected, the most common fracture sites were the parasymphysis (83 fractures, 29.3%) and the angulus (52 fractures, 18.4%). Forty-eight patients (24%) had associated injuries. The type of the fractures was simple in 80 patients (39.2%), and complex in 62 patients (30.4%). Treatment included open reduction with titanium mini-plates and screws in 130 patients, and intermaxillary fixation in the remaining patients. The fractures recovered without any complications in 167 patients (81.8%). No occlusion-related complications occurred in the late follow-ups. Complications were encountered in 37 patients (18.1%), being in the early (malocclusion in 5.9%, infections in 2.5%, inferior alveolar nerve injuries in 2.5%) or late (plate-screw exposition in 4.4%, ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint in 2%, and orocutaneous fistula in 1%) postoperative periods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rigid fixation should be the first choice of treatment in mandibular fractures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plactic and Reconsructive Surgery, Medicine Faculty of Uludağ University, Bursa, Turkey. gozgenel@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Güzin Yeşim
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Ozgenel
authors.forename: Alper
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bayraktar
authors.forename: Serhat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ozbek
authors.forename: Selçuk
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akin
authors.forename: Ramazan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kahveci
authors.forename: Mesut
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ozcan
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology