Aetiology, pattern and treatment of mandibular condylar fractures in 549 patients: a 22-year retrospective study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to retrospectively investigate the aetiology, pattern, and treatment of mandibular condylar fractures in our department over the past 22 years.


METHODS
Data of patients who sustained mandibular condylar fractures from 1988 to 2009 were recorded, including fracture aetiology, pattern of condylar fracture, time, age, sex, associated injury, patient transferred by other clinics, lag time and treatment method. Data analysis included X(2) test, Fisher exact test, t-test, Ridit analysis and Logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
The sample was composed of 549 patients (749 condylar fractures), 404 male and 145 female (male:female = 2.79:1), with a mean age of 30.12 ± 14.44 years. Road traffic accidents were the most common cause (248, 45.2%). Condylar head fractures were significantly related to a fall at ground level (p = .001). A fall from a height had a 3.19-fold risk of bilateral condylar fractures (odds ratio, 3.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.33 to 7.65; p = .010). A majority of the condylar fractures (693, 92.5%) were treated by a surgical procedure. Condylar head were mostly removed (95.0%, p < .001), condylar neck and condylar base fractures were most frequently treated by open reduction and internal fixation with miniplates (74.4%, p < .001). Most of the dislocated condylar fractures were treated by open surgery (96.5%, p = .026).


CONCLUSIONS
The anatomic position and uni/bilateral pattern of mandibular condylar fractures were positively related to situations when considerable force is involved. Open condylar surgery was based on the level of fracture and degree of displacement or dislocation.
The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, People's Republic of China.
Hai-Hua
HH
Zhou
Qi
Q
Liu
Gu
G
Cheng
Zu-Bing
ZB
Li
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001860:Bone Plates; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000145:classification; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D018677:Tooth Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult