ETIOLOGY OF MANDIBULAR CONDYLAR FRACTURES; A STUDY FROM TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF LAHORE.

It is a cross sectional study conducted in a tertiary care hospital. Patients of condylar fracture reporting to oral & maxillofacial trauma center were evaluated radiographically (OPG, PA view and Lateral Oblique View) as well as clinically to record the etiology of mandibular condylar fractures. A total of 70 patients of 3 to 45 years of age were included in this study. The frequency of condylar fractures was higher in male of all age groups except for 11-20 years where females comprised of 55.5% of the cases. Among males, the highest frequency of fractures occurred in the third decade of life. Regarding the etiology of mandible condylar fractures, falls (45.71%) and RTA (40%) were found to be the most predominant causative factors, followed by industrial and occupational accidents (6%), Sports injuries (6%) and assault injuries (3%). Falls were the etiologic factor in most of the cases which explains the association of falls with the mechanism of condylar injury. Road traffic accidents were the second common cause. Type 2 fractures which are low neck fractures with displacement were seen to be the most frequent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]