Management of mandibular fractures in a developing country: a review of 314 cases from two urban centers in Nigeria.
BACKGROUND
This study was designed to establish the current demographic and treatment patterns of mandibular fractures in two urban centers (Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, and National Hospital, Abuja) in Nigeria.


METHODS
All cases of mandibular fractures diagnosed and treated at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos (1998-2007) and Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, National Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria (2001-2007) were reviewed. Data collected included age, sex, etiology of fracture, anatomic site of fracture, associated maxillofacial fracture, types of treatment, and postoperative complications.


RESULTS
The highest incidence of mandibular fractures (49.3%) occurred in the age group 21-30 years and the lowest in the age group 0-10 years, with male preponderance in nearly all age groups. Road traffic crashes (RTC) were the leading cause (67.5%), followed by assault (18.8%), and gunshot. Of the RTC cases, 85 (40%) were sustained from motorcycle-related crashes. The commonest site of fracture was the body of the mandible (n = 137), followed by the angle (n = 114). The majority (83.1%) were treated by closed reduction using intermaxillary fixation, 13.1% by open reduction and internal fixation, and 3.8% had conservative treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Mandibular fractures are commonest during the third decade of life and in men, with almost half of the cases due to of road traffic crashes. RTC was the leading cause of mandibular fractures in all age groups. Motorcycle-related mandibular fractures seem to be increasing in Nigeria. There is a need to enforce legislation designed to prevent RTC to reduce maxillofacial fractures in Nigeria.
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, P. M. B. 12003, Lagos, Nigeria. lanreadeyemo@yahoo.com
Wasiu L
WL
Adeyemo
Innocent O
IO
Iwegbu
Seidu A
SA
Bello
Eyituoyo
E
Okoturo
Ademola A
AA
Olaitan
Akinola L
AL
Ladeinde
Mobolanle O
MO
Ogunlewe
Adegbenga A
AA
Adepoju
Olanrewaju A
OA
Taiwo
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult