Pediatric Facial Fractures: A Review of 2071 Fractures

Facial fractures are infrequent in children and adolescents, and there are only few reports that review a significant number of patients. The objective of this study was to analyze the pattern of maxillofacial fractures in pediatric patients of Portugal.

We reviewed the clinical records of a series of 1416 patients 18 years or younger with facial fractures, treated by the Department of Plastic Reconstructive, Aesthetic and of Maxillofacial Surgery of São João Hospital, Porto, Portugal, between 1993 and 2012. The following parameters were evaluated: age; sex; cause of the accident; hour, day, and month of hospital admission; location and type of fractures; presence and location of associated injuries; treatment methods; length of in-hospital stay; and complications.

A total of 2071 fractures were treated. The ratio of boys to girls was 3.1:1. Patients between 16 and 18 years old were the major group (43.9%). Motor vehicle accident was the most common cause of injuries (48.7% of patients). Mandibular fractures were the most common (44.4%). Associated injuries occurred in 1015 patients (71.7%).

Pediatric facial fractures are usually associated with severe trauma. There has been a highly significant decrease (P < 0.001) in pediatric facial fractures in Portugal for the past 20 years.