Current Frequency of Mandibular Condylar Process Fractures

Abstract

There are significant discrepancies in the reported prevalence of condylar process fractures among all mandibular fractures (16.5–56%) in the available literature. In addition, it seems that the actual number of difficult-to-treat fractures of the mandibular head is unknown. The purpose of this study is to present the current incidence of the different types of mandibular process fractures with a special focus on mandibular head fractures. The medical records of 386 patients with single or multiple mandibular fractures were reviewed. Of the fractures found, 58% were body fractures, 32% were angle fractures, 7% were ramus fractures, 2% were coronoid process fractures, and 45% were condylar process fractures. The most common fracture of the condylar process was a basal fracture (54% of condylar fractures), and the second most common fracture was a fracture of the mandibular head (34% of condylar process fractures). Further, 16% of patients had low-neck fractures, and 16% had high-neck fractures. Of the patients with head fractures, 8% had a type A fracture, 34% had a type B fracture, and 73% had a type C fracture. A total of 89.6% of the patients were surgically treated with ORIF. Mandibular head fractures are not as rare as previously thought. Head fractures occur twice as often in the pediatric population than in adults. A mandibular fracture is most likely related to a mandible head fracture. Such evidence can guide the diagnostic procedure in the future.