A prospective audit over a six month period of condylar fractures at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency of occurrence, patterns, aetiology and outcome of treatment of mandibular condylar fractures at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.


METHODS
All patients with condylar fractures seen at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital over a six-month period from January to June 2003 were included in the study. Data was recorded on sex, age, date of injury, cause of trauma, status of the occlusion and presence of associated facial injuries. The type of condylar fracture was recorded and classified following the radiographic examination according to Spiessl and Schroll. The type of treatment rendered and its outcome were also documented. Patients were followed up from 1 week to 6 months post-treatment.


RESULTS
The sample comprised 84 patients with 95 condylar fractures; 69 (82%) males and 15(18%) females. 73.8% of the fractures were caused by interpersonal violence followed by road traffic accidents (16,67%) and falls (7.14%). 73 (87%) patients had unilateral fractures and 11 (13%) had bilateral condylar fractures. Of the 95 condylar fractures, there were 16 medially dislocated condylar fractures in 13 patients. Type I, Type II and Type III fractures accounted for 31%, 26% and 25% of the total fractures respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
A relationship exists between the type of condylar fracture and the cause of the fracture: road traffic accidents and falls produce more bilateral and dislocated fractures than interpersonal violence. Prolonged intermaxillary fixation, failure to use training elastics, absence of active physiotherapy and poor patient compliance results in increased risk of hypomobility.
Rikhotso
Ephraim
E
Division of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of the Witwatersrand, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, South Africa.
Ferretti
Carlo
C
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019230:Dental Audit; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D019248:Jaw Fixation Techniques / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000293:injuries*; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data