The epidemiology of mandibular fractures treated at the Toronto general hospital: A review of 246 cases.

BACKGROUND: Mandibular fractures constitute a substantial proportion of cases of maxillofacial trauma. This study investigated the incidence, causes and treatment of mandibular fractures at a hospital in Toronto.

METHODS: The medical records and radiographs for 246 patients treated for mandibular fracture at the Toronto General Hospital over a 51 2-year period (from 1995 to 2000) were reviewed. Data on the patients age, sex, smoking status, alcohol and drug use, mechanism of injury, treatment modality, and post-operative complications were recorded and assessed.

RESULTS: Men 21 to 30 years of age sustained the most mandibular fractures. The ratio of males to females was 5:1. Most fractures were caused by violent assault (53.5%), followed by falls (21.5%) and sports activities (12.2%). Alcohol was a contributing factor at the time of injury in 20.6% of fractures for which this information was available. Nearly half of all cases were treated by open reduction (49.1%). Complications occurred in 5.3% of patients.

CONCLUSION: The incidence and causes of mandibular fracture reflect trauma patterns within the community and, as such, can provide a guide to the design of programs geared toward prevention and treatment.