Mandibular fractures in Jordanians: a comparative study between young and adult patients

Background: There are very few reports directly comparing mandibular fractures between young and adult patients in Middle Eastern countries. Aim: To review and compare the frequency and aetiology of mandibular fractures in young and adult Jordanian patients. Study design: A retrospective review was made of patients' records and radiographs seen at two university-based maxillofacial units during a 10-year period between 1993 and 2002. Age, gender, aetiology, and site were analysed and compared between young and adult patients. Results: In total, 703 patients (502 (71%) male and 201 (29%) female) were found with 892 mandibular fractures altogether. There were 497 (71%) adults with 676 fractures, and 206 (29%) young patients with 216 fractures. The mean age of the adults was 30 years with a male-to-female ratio of 2.5:1. The mean age of the young patients was 13 years with a male-to-female ratio of 1.5:1. The most common fracture site in adult patients was the mandibular body, whereas the condyle predominated in young patients. The most common causative factor in adults was road traffic accidents, and falls in the young. Conclusion: There was a similar gender distribution in both groups of Jordanian young and adult patients. However, there were differences regarding aetiology and site of fracture. The differences found in this study between adult and young patients are similar to those from other countries. (c) 2004 European Association for Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery