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Pediatric craniofacial trauma
Nicole M Eggensperger Wymann1, Alexander Hölzle, Zacharias Zachariou
1Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland. nicole.eggensperger@insel.ch
Insights
Pediatric maxillofacial and skull fractures are most often caused by falls. Most injuries affect the skull vault, with cerebral concussions being common concomitant injuries in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Traumatology
- Craniofacial Surgery
- Forensic Pathology
Background:
- Maxillofacial and skull fractures are common in pediatric trauma.
- These injuries often occur alongside other significant trauma.
- Understanding injury patterns is crucial for effective treatment and prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the causes and distribution of maxillofacial and skull fractures in Swiss pediatric trauma patients.
- To document associated injuries in this cohort.
- To compare findings with international data on pediatric craniofacial trauma.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 291 pediatric patients with maxillofacial and skull fractures.
- Data collected from a level-I trauma center over three years.
- Analysis focused on accident mechanisms and injury locations.
Main Results:
- Falls were the leading cause (64%), followed by traffic accidents (22%) and sports (9%).
- Fractures predominantly involved the skull vault (54%) and mid/upper facial thirds (37%).
- Concomitant injuries, primarily cerebral concussions, affected one-third of patients.
Conclusions:
- Craniofacial injury patterns in children correlate with skeletal development.
- Targeted prevention programs, especially for falls, could reduce fracture incidence.
- Standardized study methodologies are essential for reliable international comparisons.
Purpose:
Maxillofacial and skull fractures occur with concomitant injuries in pediatric trauma patients. The aim of this study was to determine the causes and distributions of maxillofacial and skull fractures as well as concomitant injuries of pediatric patients in Switzerland. Results were compared with worldwide studies.
Materials And Methods:
A retrospective review was conducted of 291 pediatric patients with maxillofacial and skull fractures presenting to a level-I trauma center over a 3-year span. Data concerning the mechanism of the accident and the topographic location of the injuries were analyzed.
Results:
The most common causes were falls (64%), followed by traffic (22%) and sports-related accidents (9%). Fifty-four percent of the fractures occurred in the skull vault and 37% in the upper and middle facial third. One third of the patients (n = 95) suffered concomitant injuries, mostly cerebral concussions (n = 94).
Conclusions:
The spectrum of craniofacial injuries is related to the specific developmental stage of the craniofacial skeleton. It is probable that national prevention programs will have a positive effect on reducing the incidence of falls. Standardization of studies is needed for international comparison.
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