Morel-lavallee lesion in children

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Trauma Surgery
• Pediatric Surgery

Background:

• Morel-Lavallee lesion (MLL) is a closed degloving injury caused by blunt or shearing forces.
• It involves hemolymph accumulation between subcutaneous tissue and fascia, presenting with diverse symptoms from swelling to skin necrosis.
• MLL is infrequently described, especially in children, due to inconsistent clinical manifestations and delayed onset.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of delayed Morel-Lavallee lesion in a pediatric patient.
• To describe the MLL arising from a pelvic fracture in a young child.
• To review existing literature on MLL, focusing on pediatric cases.

Main Methods:

• Case presentation of a 28-month-old child with delayed MLL post-pelvic fracture.
• Review of medical literature for pediatric Morel-Lavallee lesions.
• Analysis of clinical presentation, mechanism of injury, and management strategies.

Main Results:

• A delayed Morel-Lavallee lesion was identified in a 28-month-old following a motor vehicle accident and pelvic fracture.
• The case illustrates the variable and delayed presentation of MLL in pediatric trauma.
• Literature review confirms the rarity of MLL in children.

Conclusions:

• Delayed Morel-Lavallee lesions can occur in children following significant trauma, such as pelvic fractures.
• Increased awareness and consideration of MLL are crucial for timely diagnosis and management in pediatric patients.
• Further research into pediatric MLL is warranted due to its infrequent reporting.