Mandibular fractures in an urban trauma center

The hospital records of 307 patients sustaining mandibular fractures between 1980 and 1984 were reviewed. The patient population consisted of 79% males, with precipitating events usually being fist fights (47%) and assaults with a blunt object (18%). The most common fracture involved the body (30%), followed by the angle (21%) and the condyles (19%). Intermaxillary fixation (IMF) was the preferred method of treatment (42%); however, a large number of patients were treated by internal fixation (31%) or external stabilization (11%). Despite the large number with internal fixation procedures, the complication rate was relatively low (18%). This review suggests changing trends in mandibular fractures. Motor vehicle accidents no longer comprise the most common etiology, so that condylar fractures are no longer the most common, and fractures of the body and angle are more common. Although most patients still are initially treated by intermaxillary fixation, the number of open reductions appears to be increasing. Despite this trend, the complication rate has remained relatively low.