Aetiology and distribution of mandibular fractures in the National University Hospital, Singapore.

Sixty-seven consecutive mandibular fractures treated mainly in 1998 were surveyed retrospectively. Treatment was performed at the National University Hospital, Singapore. Males outnumbered females by 5:1, with Chinese the commonest racial group involved (56.7%). Most patients were between 20 and 29 years of age. Road traffic accidents formed the largest proportion (61.2%) followed by industrial accidents and assaults. The symphyseal and parasymphyseal regions were most commonly fractured (46.5%). Almost a third of the patients sustained other facial fractures. Treatment was commonly administered within one to two days of discovery of the fracture and open reduction was the treatment plan of choice in 79.1% of the time. Discussion on how aetiology affects the fracture pattern in Singapore is carried out.