Incidence and patterns of mandibular fractures during a 5-year period in a London teaching hospital

We retrospectively evaluated mandibular fractures in patients who presented to a London teaching hospital between June 2005 and May 2010. A total of 1261 patients sustained 1994 mandibular fractures (mean 1.6, range 1–5). The incidence of mandibular fracture was higher in male patients (87%) than in females (13%) (male:female ratio 6.6:1), and the peak incidence was during the third decade for both genders. The most common site of fracture was the angle (30%), followed by the parasymphysis (27%), and condyle (27%). Overall, interpersonal violence was the most common cause (72%) followed by falls (18%). In male patients, the most common cause was interpersonal violence (77%); in females it was a fall (46%). The anatomical sites of fracture reflected their cause. Interpersonal violence typically resulted in fractures of the angle (36%) while road traffic accidents and falls resulted in condylar fractures (28% and 53%, respectively). A total of 66 (5%) patients sustained other maxillofacial fractures and 37 (3%) presented with non-maxillofacial fractures. Our findings are consistent with trends reported in other urban centres.