A Retrospective study of 186 mandibular angle fractures: Influence of mountainous topography on etiology of mandibular angle fracture

Abstract Mandibular angle is one of the most fracture prone area of facial skeleton. Main etiology for angle fractures is Road Traffic Accident and Interpersonal Violence but the etiological factors may have regional variance. However, before initiating any discussion on the etiology, it would be pertinent to have a clear idea about the territory or the province of Himachal Pradesh as fall, remains the supreme cause of mandibular fractures over here. This 10 year retrospective study evaluated the records of 183 patients with mandibular fractures at Department of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery, HPGDC, Shimla. The parameters extracted from the records were age, gender, etiology and associated maxillofacial injuries. Males were more commonly affected as compared to females with Male: Female ratio of 11.2:1. Age group most commonly involved was 21-30 years and unlike other studies accidental fall is the most common etiology of angle fracture in this particular area. The etiology can usually be attributed to cultural, social, economic, and environmental factors.