PATTERN OF CONDYLAR FRACTURES IN THE PEDIATRIC POPULATION PRESENTING TO THE ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY DEPARTMENT, MARDAN MEDICAL COMPLEX, MARDAN

Abstract

Background: Pediatric mandibular condylar fractures represent a significant proportion of maxillofacial injuries in developing countries, where environmental and socioeconomic factors contribute to high trauma risk. Understanding local fracture patterns is essential for improving diagnostic accuracy, management strategies, and preventive measures.

Objective: To determine the epidemiological distribution, fracture classifications, and clinical presentation of condylar fractures in pediatric patients presenting to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of Mardan Medical Complex, Bacha Khan College of Dentistry Mardan Pakistan.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 227 pediatric patients aged 5–18 years with CT-confirmed mandibular condylar fractures. Data was collected using a structured proforma which included demographics, etiology, laterality, fracture classification (Rowe & Killey; MacLennan), and clinical features. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and to assess the associations between selected variables chi-square tests was used.

Results: The mean age was 10.91 ± 3.85 years, with the majority aged 9–12 years. Most of the participants were males accounted for 68.3% of the sample. The leading cause of etiological factors were Falls (45.8%) and road-traffic accidents (34.4%).In the fracture type unilateral fractures were more common (69.6%), with nearly equal left–right distribution. Extracapsular fractures (56.8%) and deviated fractures (37.0%) were the most frequent classification types. Preauricular swelling (89.0%), limited mouth opening (67.0%), jaw deviation (61.2%), and malocclusion (55.9%) were the most prevalent clinical findings. There was no statistically significant associations between etiology, demographic variables, and fracture classifications(p > 0.05).

Conclusion: The most common cause of Pediatric condylar fractures in the study population was caused by falls and road-traffic accidents, and the most common observed pattern was extracapsular and deviated patterns. The finding of this study emphasizes the importance of early clinical recognition and highlights the need for targeted preventive strategies. For enhancing generalizability and evaluation of long-term outcomes multi-center and longitudinal studies are recommended.