Background: Maxillo-facial fractures can lead to substantial long-term functional, aesthetic and psychological complications, being considered among the most common facial accidents. As, in recent years, a significant increase of such cases has been recorded, the present study aims at describing the incidence, etiology and pattern of mandibular fractures recorded in Sonepat.
Materials and method: A prospective study of maxillofacial injuriy cases was carried out at the newly created B.P.S Government Medical College for Women, Khanpur Kalan, Sonepat, from September 2011 to February 2013. Data on patients, including gender, age, mechanism of accident, fracture site and pattern were collected and analysed.
Results: A total number of 474 patients with 86 mandibular fractures was registered, males outnumbering female patients by a ratio of 2.9:1. Age of patients ranged between 9 months and 72 years, maximum incidence occurring in the 18-34 year group of age. Most injuries were caused by road traffic accidents (48.83%), followed by assaults (26.74%) and sporting activities (13.95%). The most prominent site of mandibular fracture was parasymphysis (27.90%), followed by angle (24.41%) and body (18.60%) regions. 30.23% of the patients with mandible fractures were having multiple fracture sites. Also, 10% of the patients with mandible fracture had associated mid-facial fractures. Closed reduction was done in 13.6% of patients, open reduction and internal fixation was performed in 46.4% of cases, while 18.1% of them were treated conservatively. The mean duration of hospitalization was 10.12 ± 6.24 days.
Conclusions: The present study highlights the importance of dental surgery in the management of maxillofacial injuries and the need to reinforce legislation for reducing their number among both children and adults.