[The relationship between the fracture site and etiology in mandibular fractures].

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the fracture site and etiology in mandibular fractures.
Patients and Methods: The study included 37 patients (61 fracture sites) (29 males, 8 females; mean age 26 years; range 1.5 to 77 years) who underwent surgical treatment for mandibular fractures between May 2001 and November 2003. Data on epidemiological characteristics of patients, etiology and fracture sites were retrospectively reviewed.
Results: Of the patient group, 51.3% had a single, 48.6% had two or more fractures. Seventy-five percent of the assault victims had more than one fracture site. Motor vehicle accidents accounted for 36% of all the fracture sites. The most common locations of the fractures according to the etiology were as follows: fractures caused by motor vehicle accidents at the parasymphyseal area, by falls at the condyle, and by assaults at the parasymphyseal and angular areas. All the fractures resulting from bicycle accidents occurred at the condyle area.
Conclusion: It is advisable to be more attentive for condyle fractures when confronted with any etiology of mandibular fractures. Etiology may be suggestive of the fracture site(s).