OBJECTIVES: The traumatic fracture of the mandible is the second facial fracture trauma found in maxillo-facial, being surpassed only by fracture of the nose. The need for appropriate behaviors that reduce morbidity and mortality of these patients require an increase of professionals in attendance. The objective of this study was to analyze the medical records of patients with mandible trauma service in a residence of otolaryngology and cervico facial surgery from 1982 to 2000. METHOD: This is a retrospective analysis of records of patients seen at emergency services and emergency in the period 1982 to 2000. RESULTS: The charts of 105 patients with closed treatment of traumatic fractures of the mandible, bimaxillary mandible by immobilization with traction using the continuous elastic fixation techniques intermaxillarymandible of Gilmer, Risdon immobilization, immobilization of Kirschner wire and oral arch of Erich. The most affected patients were male with 78 (74%) of the sample in this age group accounted for the main second and third (27%) decade of life. CONCLUSION: The young adult males are generally more affected by being exposed to greater risk factors for trauma and the car accident the main etiological factor for this type of fracture.