Frequency of mandibular fractures in children presenting with maxillofacial trauma.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of mandibular fractures in children presenting with maxillofacial trauma. Study Design: Cross Sectional. Setting: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial, Ayub Dental Section at Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad. Period: 05 December 2018 to 05 June 2019. Material & Methods: A total number of 166 children from both genders between the ages of 1-12 years with a history of trauma to mandible were added to the study through consecutive non-probability sampling. All the particulars of these patients like age, gender, date of trauma, cause of trauma, pattern of trauma, associated injuries were noted down on a format designed for the study and X-rays of all the patients were taken. Results: The Mean±SDs of age in this study was 5.34+1.867. Out of these patients 96 (57.8%) were male while 70 (42.2%) were females. The results show that 66 (39.8%) patients had symphysis, 48 (29%) patients had parasymphysis, 32 (19.2%) patients had angle/body, 20 (12%) patients had condyle fractures. Associated injuries were also present in 103 (62%) patients. Conclusion: The most common type of mandibular fracture in children was symphysis followed by parasymphysis, angle/body and condyle fractures. Early identification and treatment of such pediatric mandibular fractures will help to minimize hospital stay thus reducing financial burden on patients.