FRACTURES AND POSTIMMOBILIZATION CONTRACTURES OF THE MANDIBLE AMONG THE POPULATION OF KHARKIV REGION: CURRENT STATE OF THE PROBLEM

Abstract

Purpose of the study. Determination of age, gender, clinical characteristics and treatment features of mandibular fractures, as well as the frequency of post-immobilization contractures of the mandible among the population of Kharkiv region. Materials and methods of the research. The study included 237 patients with mandibular fractures. The patients were analyzed for age and gender characteristics, the duration of time from the moment of injury to hospitalization, the duration of hospitalization, the fracture causes, the fracture location, the characteristics of the fracture (unilateral or bilateral; open or closed; with or without displacement of bone fragments), the methods of fracture treatment, the presence or absence of post-immobilization contractures and their nature (articular or extra-articular). Scientific novelty. Among the population of Kharkiv region for the period from 2020 to 2023, mandibular fractures were more often diagnosed in young men of working age (the average age of patients was (36.8±0.7) years). Mandibular fractures were mainly caused by fights and domestic trauma. Persons with mandibular fractures were late to the hospital for medical help (the average duration from the moment of injury to hospitalization was (5±0.6) days). The average duration of hospitalization of patients with mandibular fractures was (8.4±0.4) bed-days. Mandibular fractures were more often in the area of the angle and above; predominantly open; unilateral or bilateral (in 2020, 2021) and predominantly bilateral (in 2022, 2023); characterized by displacement of bone fragments. For therapeutic purposes, patients with mandibular fractures underwent mandibular immobilization, primarily by using two-jaw splinting. During the study period, post-immobilization contractures developed in 191 patients (80.6%). Among the latter, a pronounced prevalence of extra-articular contractures over articular ones was recorded. Conclusions. The authors determined age, gender, clinical characteristics and features of the treatment of mandibular fractures, as well as the incidence of post-immobilization contractures of the mandible among the population of Kharkiv region. The results will be taken into account when organizing the health care system at the regional level, which will significantly improve medical care for patients with fractures and post-immobilization contractures of the mandible.