[A retrospective analysis of 204 mandibular fractures].
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.
Ozgenel
Güzin Yeşim
GY
Department of Plactic and Reconsructive Surgery, Medicine Faculty of Uludağ University, Bursa, Turkey. gozgenel@yahoo.com
Bayraktar
Alper
A
Ozbek
Serhat
S
Akin
Selçuk
S
Kahveci
Ramazan
R
Ozcan
Mesut
M
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