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Mandibular angle fractures: a demographic review, with particular reference to post-operative complications

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Abstract

Background

Mandibular angle fractures (MAF) have a recognized complexity of treatment and an increased risk of incurring complications.

Methods

This retrospective study included 45 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with an isolated MAF and no other facial fractures. The average age was 27.3 (SD = 7.7).

Results

A comparatively low rate of complications (11.1%) and a low rate of reoperation (1.8%) are reported, along with a significant role of smoking in complications (p = 0.022). A non-significant association was noted between complications, male gender and assault as an aetiological factor.

Conclusions

Review of the data from this study confirms that complication rates for patients attending the National Maxillofacial Unit are similar to or better than that of international studies. An overview of the aetiology of fracture complications is included.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Maxillofacial Unit, St James Hospital Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    Edward Fahy, Richard Carr, Emma Moore, Arimie Min, Cara Iosa Harrington, Colm Murphy, Kumara Ekanayake & Gerry Kearns

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  1. Edward Fahy
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  2. Richard Carr
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  3. Emma Moore
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  4. Arimie Min
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  6. Colm Murphy
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  7. Kumara Ekanayake
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  8. Gerry Kearns
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by E. Fahy, R. Carr, E. Moore, C. Harrington, and A. Min. The first draft of the manuscript was written by E. Moore and E. Fahy, and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Edward Fahy.

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Ethical approval for this study was waived by the local ethics committee.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants involved in this study.

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Patients signed informed consent regarding publishing their data.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Fahy, E., Carr, R., Moore, E. et al. Mandibular angle fractures: a demographic review, with particular reference to post-operative complications. Ir J Med Sci 193, 533–537 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-023-03433-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-023-03433-3

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