Analysis of Pediatric Maxillofacial Fractures: A 10-year Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to analyze patterns of maxillofacial fractures in children and adolescent in southeast of China,in a period of 10 years.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, the medical records of 162 hospitalized patients under 18 years old were analyzed in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Stomatology Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, China. Age, gender, etiology, site, and type of fracture, monthly distribution, weekly distribution, dental complications, and treatment were evaluated. The cases were divided into 3 age groups: group A: 0 to 6 years, group B: 7 to 12 years, and group C: 13 to 18 years.

RESULTS: Three hundred thirty-four maxillofacial fractures in 162 patients younger than 18 years were analyzed. The male to female ratio was 2.24:1 and mean age of these patients was 9.85 years old . Falls were the leading cause of maxillofacial fractures.The most frequent fracture site was mandible. Most patients with maxillofacial fractures were treated by open reduction. And it was done more in adolescents than in children.

CONCLUSIONS: Falls were the main reason for maxillofacial fracutres in childern, and traffic accidents was the leading cause in adolescent. Preventive measures should be applied to reduce occurrences of pediatric facial fractures .Children can not be left at home alone, and monitoring is very necessary when children play in the high place. The government can consider related e-bike driving skills training. Teenagers must pass the relevant electric vehicle test before they can drive. Make the law that the driver of e-bike must wear a safety helmet. Our study shows that open reduction was a good choice for pediatric facial fractures, but usually conservative treatment is a better choice for condylar fractures.