Fractures of the mandible: a review of 580 cases.

The anatomic distribution of fractures in this study showed more fractures of the condylar and parasymphysis/symphysis regions, with correspondingly fewer body and angle fractures, than in other reported studies. The site of fracture is related to the type of trauma involved. Altercations, in which most force is directed in a single blow to the lateral aspect of the jaw, tend to result more frequently in angle and body fractures and less often in condylar, symphysis, and alveolar fractures. Automobile accidents, which more frequently involve trauma to the anterior mandible, result in more fractures of the symphysis region, alveolus and condyle. Motorcycle accidents produce many more alveolar fractures, suggesting that the traumatic force in this kind of accident is often directed to the alveolus. As might be expected, those individuals involved in motor vehicle accidents had the highest incidence of other injuries in addition to the mandibular fractures. Injuries to the head and neck were most common, but a wide variety of other injuries occurred. Complications are more common in the patient who has sustained multiple trauma. Most fractures were treated by closed reduction. When open reduction was necessary, the most common sites were the angle, body, and symphysis regions.