Fall-related mandible fractures in a Japanese population: A retrospective study

Maxillofacial trauma is frequent and represents a heavy burden for patients and society. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics and management of mandibular fractures caused by falls.

One hundred thirty-nine patients with 185 mandible fractures caused by falls were included in this retrospective study. The patients were grouped according to age, gender, fitness level (as classified by the American Society of Anesthesiology physical status classification), the month of the accident, sites of fractures and treatment methods.

Most adult and fit patients were treated with open reduction and internal fixation, except for intracapsular condyle fractures. Conservative management was chosen for paediatric patients and in all cases deemed at high risk for lengthy procedures under general anaesthesia (physical status III according to the American Society of Anesthesiology). Young patients were mainly males, whereas geriatric patients were mainly females. In cases of single-site fracture, condylar fractures were the most prevalent. In cases with multiple sites, the association of condyle and symphysis fractures was the most frequent.

The results show an increasing trend in geriatric condyle fractures, especially in females. The epidemiology of fall-related mandibular fractures is subject to the influence of seasonal, historical, cultural and demographic factors.