Analysis of jaw fractures in motorcycle accidents: a systematic review

Abstract

Background: The mandible and maxilla are the most robust facial bones, protecting the facial skull. Fractures of these bones rank among the most common facial injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents due to the exposed location of the face. Such injuries can have serious health consequences, from functional impairment to death.

Methods: The review adhered to the PRISMA Guidelines. Conducted across four electronic databases: Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar. Keywords were selected based on a search strategy structured around the Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome framework. Risk of bias was assessed using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network criteria.

Results: The literature search yielded 42 articles published in the last 5 years (2019-2024). After the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, six articles met the eligibility criteria. Data from these studies, along with their bias assessments, were summarized in tabular format.

Conclusion: The reported incidence of maxillary and mandibular fractures varies across studies. The summarized analysis in this article indicates various fracture patterns. This review also emphasizes the role of trauma severity indices-essential tools for prognostic evaluation, treatment planning, and cost of injury assessment in trauma patients-along with their applications in situations involving triage and multidisciplinary scientific approaches.

Keywords: Facial injuries; Fractures; Jaw; Maxillofacial injuries; Oral surgery; Traffic accidents.

Fig. 1

PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) 2020 flowchart of the study selection process for this systematic review.