Analysis of mandibular fractures over a 12 year period: Retrospective study

Objective: It was aimed to evaluate the incidence, treatment methods, outcomes of mandible fractures and their relationship with various factors affecting them, and to analyze the epidemiology of mandible fractures. Materials and methods: Patients treated for mandible fractures in Ondokuz Mayıs University, Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Clinic between January 2010 and June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Age, gender, smoking, alcohol, non-intravenous drug use, presence of systemic disease, etiology, dentition status, symptoms and findings at the time of initial admission, length of hospital stay, time interval between trauma and surgery, associated maxillofacial and non-maxillofacial additional injuries, treatment methods, as well as reoperation and complications were assessed. In the classification of mandible fractures, AO CMF (Association of Osteosynthesis, Craniomaxillofacial) mandible fracture classification was used. Results: 913 fractures were treated in 543 patients. The male/female ratio was 3.41. The peak incidence was 3 decades. Traffic accidents (36.2%) followed by falling (33.1%) were the most common etiologic causes. Falls were the most common etiologic cause in women and pediatric patients. Condyle (34.06%) and symphysis/parasymphysis (23.22%) were the most frequently fractured areas. In patients with condyle fracture, the condyle base (58.84%) was the most frequently fractured subregion. In pediatric patients with condyle fractures, the condyle head (42.85%) was the most frequently fractured subregion. The rate of patients with one or more complications was found to be 33.3%. The most common complications were infection (13.63%) and malocclusion (11.05%). The reoperation rate was 8.2%. A positive correlation was found between smoking, alcohol, non-intravenous drug use and infection rate (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the time interval between trauma and surgery, the number of fractures, the presence of systemic disease, smoking, alcohol, non-intravenous drug use and the overall complication rate (p>0.05). Conclusion: A thorough understanding of the epidemiology of mandible fractures and the variables affecting it; is crucial for the prediction, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mandible fractures. Key Words: Mandibular fracture, Epidemiology, Aetiology, Treatment, Complication