Does trauma etiology affect the pattern of mandibular fracture?

PURPOSE

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between trauma etiologies and anatomic sites of mandibular fractures.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The sample was composed of all patients who sustained mandibular fractures during a 10-year period (2000-2009). The patients' age and gender were recorded; the relationships between fracture etiology and pattern of mandibular fracture were also analyzed. Data analysis included the χ2 test, the Fisher exact test, the t test, and logistic regression analysis. P < 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

Fall at ground level had a 9.64-fold risk of mandibular condylar fractures (odds ratio, 9.64; P < 0.001). No significant relationship existed between different etiologies and symphysis fracture. All of the etiologies had a low risk to mandibular body fractures (odds radio, <1; P < 0.05). The occurrence of mandibular angle fractures was highly related to patients' age (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The pattern of mandibular fractures was highly related to patients' age and the different etiologies.