The Andy Gump fracture of the mandible: a cause of respiratory obstruction or distress.

Bilateral body fractures of the elderly edentulous atrophic mandible can cause a characteristic facial deformity and prolapse of the tongue into the pharynx, obstructing the airway (3). Early clinical and radiographic diagnosis of this injury is important. Stabilization of the fracture fragments restores the bony support for the tongue and helps establish patency of the airway.