PATTERN AND ETIOLOGY OF MANDIBULAR CONDYLAR FRACTURES PRESENTED TO A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

ABSTRACT
Background: The onset of advance technological age with high-speed automobiles as well as an increasingly hot
tempered and brutal unrestrained culture has made maxillofacial trauma very common. Condylar region is the most
common site of mandible fractures. Condylar fracture can result in both short time disability in chewing, malocclusion
and pain as well long time consequences like growth disturbances, ankylosis and disfigurement making the patient both
physically and socially handicap. Condylar fracture is a protective mechanism which prevents fracture of the base of skull.
Objective: To determine the pattern and etiology of mandible condylar fractures in patients of age 18-60 years.
Design and Place and duration of study: This Descriptive cross sectional study was conducted at department of
oral and maxillofacial surgery Hayatabad medical complex Khyber girls medical college Peshawar from June 2015 to
March 2016.
Materials and Method: All patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria (aged 18-60 years) reporting to the department of
oral and maxillofacial surgery Hayatabad medical complex were included in the study. Fractures were confirmed by
history, examination and x rays like Orthopentomogram, Reverse Towne’s view open mouth and CT scan. Data was
analyzed by SPSS version 19.
Results: Total no of 155 patients were included in the study. There were 55.5% male and 44.5 female in a male to
female ratio of 1.24:1. The overall mean age was 32.06 ± 11.18 years. Road traffic accidents 43.9% were the most
common etiology of injury followed by fall 32.9% and physical assult28.4%. Age group of 18-40 years was observed
to be strongly associated with the incidence of road traffic accidents (p< 0.001).
Conclusion: Mandible condylar fractures are common in the younger age group, and most importantly in the male
gender. Younger age group are particular prone to bilateral fractures and the most common cause of injury is road
traffic accidents followed by fall.
Key Words: Mandibular fractures, condylar fractures, facial trauma, Peshawar.