The pattern of jaw and face fracturs in 5th Azar hospital in Gorgan – Iran (2003-04)

Background&Objective: In recent century, progress of technology and hygiene has caused improvement of human life. But factors such as car accidents and braws cause body damages. Due to absence of about the prevalence of jaw and face fractures proper pattern and related damages in Golestan province, this study was done to determine the pattern of jaw and face fracturs in 5th Azar hospital in Gorgan – Iran (2003-04). Materials&Methods: In a 3-years prospective study (2003-04), 221 patients in referral hospital in Golestan province were evaluated and data about demography, etiology, related damages and therapeutic procedures inserted in informational forms and extracted data was analysed by SPSS 11.5 software. Results: In this study 84.1% and 15.9% of patients were male and frmale, respectively and most of them were 21 to 30 years old. The most common causes of fractures of jaw and face in these patients consist of driving accident (72.8%), falling down (15.4%) and major trauma (11.8%). In accidents, motor accidents were the commonest cause (60.9%). Mandible bone was the commonest site of fracture (77.8%) and trauma to the skull and nervous tissues was the most common accompaniment damage. Open reduction was the main therapy in these patients. Death was not seen in this study at all. Conclusion: This study showed that driving accidents, specially motor accidents are the most common causes of fractures of jaw and face. Therefore , emphasis on observation of driving regulations and use of life belt and helmet is very important