Pediatric Maxillofacial Injuries; A single institutional experience

Background: The most commonly observed emergency, contributing to high morbidity and mortality is pediatric trauma. The purpose of this research is to analysis the incidence and pattern of maxillofacial trauma in children in Upper Egypt and to assess its management regarding to the successful healing with the least complications. Patients and Methods: This prospective research was performed at the Maxillofacial / Head and Neck Surgery Unit of General Surgery Department of Sohag University Hospitals. All children with maxillofacial trauma during the period from January 2016 to May 2020 and from all governor around sohag that include Qena, Luxor, Aswan and the Red Sea were enrolled . The study included 232 pediatric patients with a total of 298 fractures. Results: The male: female ratio was 3.3:1. The age group 6 to <12 years was the most common group to be injured by 95 patients (40.9%) and the age group <3 years was the least group to be injured by 8 patients (3.4%). The most common cause of maxillofacial trauma was falling from hight (FFH) with 144 (62.1%) patients, followed by motor car accident (MCA) affecting 67 (28.9%) patients. Mandibular fractures had the highest incidence with 152 (51.0%) followed by Midface fractures with 73 (24.5%). Associated soft tissue injuries were present in 22% of all cases. All the included fractures healed successfully. Conclusion: FFH was the essential cause for maxillofacial injuries. Males and parasymhesial fractures showed the highest predominance. International guidelines should be followed for the determination of the treatment of choice either conservatively or surgically and the treatment of choice is dependent on fracture morphology, patient characteristics and surgeon experience and skill. The post traumatic follow up helps to avoid harmful draw backs.