Evaluation of patterns in mandibular fractures among South Indian patients

The objective of this study is to evaluate the predicted mandibular fracture pattern among a sample of patients visiting a dental hospital in Chennai, India based on patient demographics. This retrospective analysis involved 46 patients out of which 39 were male and 7 were female who were referred to the Oral Surgery Clinic, Chennai. The medical records and orthopantograms for these 46 patients who received treatment for fractures of the mandible from June 2019- March 2020 were reviewed. Parameters such as age, gender, pattern of distribution, type of mandibular fracture, combination of the fracture and treatment done, were evaluated and assessed by one examiner and reviewed by 2 independent investigators. Data shows that the angle region to be the most common area to be affected (31.67%), accompanied by parasymphyseal region (28.33%), condylar region (13.33%), dento-alveolar region ( 10%), body (8.33%), symphyseal region ( 6.67%) and finally the coronoid region ( 1.67%). Data analysis also revealed that 84.78% of all patients with fractures of the mandible were male and 34.78% of all patients were in the age group of 21-30 years. Most fractures presented with a single fracture site (60.87%), and among combinations of fractures, fractures of parasymphyseal region along with angle region (41.67%) were seen more commonly. Pearson's Chi Square Test was used to determine the association linking the type of mandibular fracture and treatment modality used and p value was < 0.05, which was considered statistically significant. Thus, the patterns of mandibular fractures delineate a significant occurrence of angle fractures among mandibular fractures, commonly seen along with fractures of parasymphyseal region and occurring with a significant male predilection.