Mandibular fracture patterns in Tasmania, Australia

Background: No previous studies on mandibular fracture patterns in Tasmania, and very few elsewhere in Australia, have undertaken to discover which identified age, gender, aetiology, anatomical location of the fracture, period of injury, whether alcohol consumption was associated with the injury, and treatment of mandibular fractures. Method: A retrospective study was undertaken of 251 patients with fractured mandibles presenting to the Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmania from 1993-1999. Data were obtained from the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery unit fracture record books cross-checked with patients, impatient/outpatient hospital records. Results: The male to female ratio was 4.5:1, with mandibular fractures most common in the male age group of 21-30 years. Assaults (55 per cent of all patients) were the major cause of fractures. Males accounted for 855 per cent of assaults, with punching being the most common method, followed by motor vehicle accidents (MVA), 18.3 per cent and sport, 16.7 per cent. In sport, Australian Rules Football was the most common cause, accounting for 45.2 per cent of sporting injuries. The site most frequently fractured was the angle of the mandible. Alcohol abuse was seen in 41.4 per cent of the patients with 84.6 per cent being male. Open reduction and internal fixation with miniplate osteosynthesis, was the preferred treatment modality. The results are compared with other series. Conclusions: Mandibular fractures are common,in Tasmania, with the highest rates involved in assaults and sport (especially Australian Rules Football) and a low rate in MVA. These fractures commonly occurred in young males in which assaults, alcohol and social issues were associated. Therefore, preventive measures and strong public awareness addressing this group may be of benefit in reducing the rate of assaults and sporting injuries to the mandible.