Trauma is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children worldwide. However, in comparison with adults, maxillofacial fractures in children are relatively uncommon due to physiological and environmental factors. Domestic injuries are frequently seen in younger children while older children are mostly involved in road traffic accidents (RTA).
The objective of this study was to analyze the pattern of maxillofacial injuries and their management in pediatric patients referred to our department.
All pediatric patients below and up to 16 years of age who reported to Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Pacific Dental College, Udaipur; India over a five year period were reviewed. Methods and Material: A total of 35 pediatric patients‘ records were reviewed. Data was collected from April 2005 to June 2010, which includes demographics, etiology of injury in relation to age group, type of injuries whether soft tissues or hard tissue and treatment modalities provided to them were retrospectively collected.
Male patients were more than female patients. Injuries commonly occured in the 13—16 years of age. Fall was the most common cause followed by RTA and sports. In relation to fractures, mandible was the most common bone to fracture. All the fractures were managed conservatively especially in the younger (below 11 years) age groups. Open reduction with internal fixation was more frequently carried out in the 11—16 years of age where there is severely displacement of fracture segment.
Causes and patterns of facial fractures vary with age. Children exhibit different pattern of clinical features depending on the etiology and stage of their bone maturation. Closed reduction and regular follow up gives satisfactory results below 11 years of pediatric patients. Open reduction should only be carried out if the patient is above 11 years of age and the fracture segments are displaced severely.
Paediatric Facial Trauma, Road traffic accidents (RTA), Sports related injuries
