Etiology of chin laceration and their possible association with underlying mandibular fractures- A retrospective study

Abstract

The recognition of the associated mandibular fracture plays a vital role, if unrecognised may lead to complications such as Temporomandibular joint dysfunction, chronic pain and malocclusion. These complications may not be elicited at the time of injury, but many years later. Therefore, it is important to identify the presence of associated mandibular fractures while understanding the cause of injury followed by clinical examination.Our study reviews the factors (etiology, gender, and age) that determines the various patterns of chin laceration and the incidence of associated mandibular fractures.: A retrospective study was conducted among 55 patients who reported to the Casualty/ Emergency room with chin laceration between July 2018 and July 2019. Data on age, gender, etiology, and associated fractures were noted. Patients with facial laceration other than the chin region were excluded from the study. : Out of 55 patients, it was found that chin laceration was common in males in the age group of 20-40 years. 69.1% of it is due to the RTA, followed by fall from height, and assault. 27.8% of chin lacerations were associated with unilateral condylar fracture, and 20.4% were associated with symphysis fracture followed by parasymphysis, body, angle, and ramus fracture.Chin laceration acts as an important diagnostic clue for the underlying mandibular fracture and various complications that might occur with/after the fracture.