DefinePK

Research Objective

To determine the frequency of mandibular fractures in children presenting with maxillofacial trauma.

Methodology

Cross-sectional study conducted at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial, Ayub Dental Section at Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, from December 5, 2018, to June 5, 2019. A total of 166 children aged 1-12 years with a history of mandibular trauma were included. Data on age, gender, date of trauma, cause, pattern, and associated injuries were collected. X-rays were taken for all patients. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 19.0.

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD;
    A["Study Design: Cross Sectional"] --> B["Setting: Ayub Teaching Hospital"];
    B --> C["Period: 05 Dec 2018 - 05 Jun 2019"];
    C --> D["Participants: 166 children, ages 1-12"];
    D --> E["Data Collection: Age, gender, trauma details, X-rays"];
    E --> F["Data Analysis: SPSS version 19.0"];
    F --> G["Results: Fracture patterns, causes, associated injuries"];
    G --> H["Conclusion: Most common fracture type and implications"];                    

Discussion

The study highlights that symphysis fractures are the most frequent in children with maxillofacial trauma, followed by parasymphysis. The findings are compared with previous studies, noting variations in fracture patterns but general agreement on the prevalence of mandibular fractures in children. The discussion emphasizes the importance of early identification and treatment to minimize hospital stay and financial burden. The study also acknowledges limitations related to its location in a hilly area, which may influence the types of trauma observed.

Key Findings

The mean age of the patients was 5.34±1.86 years. Males constituted 57.8% and females 42.2%. The most common fracture patterns were symphysis (39.8%), followed by parasymphysis (29%), angle/body (19.2%), and condyle (12%). Associated injuries were present in 62% of patients. Road traffic accidents were the most common cause of trauma (47%), followed by falls (34.3%) and assaults (18.7%).

Conclusion

The most common type of mandibular fracture in children presenting with maxillofacial trauma is symphysis, followed by parasymphysis, angle/body, and condyle fractures. Early identification and treatment are crucial for reducing hospital stay and financial burden on patients. Awareness campaigns by health authorities are recommended to address the causes of these injuries, which are often linked to traffic accidents, falls, and socioeconomic factors.

Fact Check

1. Sample Size: The study included a total of 166 children. (Confirmed in Material & Methods)
2. Most Common Fracture Type: Symphysis fractures were the most common, accounting for 39.8% of cases. (Confirmed in Results - Table V)
3. Gender Distribution: Males represented 57.8% of the study population. (Confirmed in Results - Table II)

Mind Map