Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2025
Minimally Invasive Treatment for Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture Using Sagittal Alignment Screws and A Trauma Reduction Device
Published on: November 8, 2024
Comparison of Pediatric and Adult Mandibular Fractures: Identifying Differences in Presentation and Management Using
Madison Oxford1, Jacqueline Tucker2, Dana Goldenberg1
1College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA.
Insights
Pediatric mandibular fractures are less common but have unique traits. Children received faster surgical care and had similar low complication rates to adults, though more were transferred for treatment.
Area of Science:
- Trauma surgery
- Pediatric orthopedics
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery
Background:
- Mandibular fractures present distinct challenges in pediatric patients, potentially causing long-term growth and functional issues.
- Optimal management strategies for pediatric mandibular fractures lack consensus.
- This study compares pediatric and adult mandibular fractures regarding epidemiology, presentation, treatment, and outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiological differences in mandibular fractures between pediatric and adult populations.
- To analyze treatment modalities and outcomes for pediatric versus adult mandibular fractures.
- To identify unique characteristics of pediatric mandibular fracture management.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective, population-based study utilized data from the National Trauma Data Bank (2016-2019).
- Patients with mandibular fractures were stratified into pediatric (<18 years) and adult (≥18 years) cohorts.
- Demographics, fracture etiology, treatment, hospital outcomes, and complications were analyzed.
Main Results:
- The study included 3,968 pediatric and 38,898 adult patients with operative mandibular fractures.
- Being struck was the primary cause for both groups, followed by motor vehicle incidents and falls.
- Pediatric patients more often received care at Level I trauma centers, had quicker surgical intervention, and higher transfer rates, with similar low complication rates.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric mandibular fractures, while less frequent, display distinct epidemiological and management patterns compared to adults.
- Children underwent surgical intervention sooner and had comparable low complication rates to adults.
- Further research is recommended to develop specific treatment guidelines for pediatric mandibular fractures.
Background:
Facial fractures in children are less common than in adults but can lead to significant long-term complications, including growth abnormalities and functional issues. Mandibular fractures are the most common facial fractures in both age groups, yet there is no consensus on optimal management strategies. This study investigates the epidemiology, presentation, treatment, and outcomes of mandibular fractures in pediatric versus adult populations.
Methods:
The authors conducted a retrospective, population-based study using 2016 to 2019 data from the National Trauma Data Bank. Patients with mandibular fractures were categorized into pediatric (below 18 y) and adult (18 y or above) groups. The authors analyzed demographics, fracture mechanism, treatment modality, hospital outcome, and complication data.
Results:
Of the 42,866 patients with operative mandibular fractures, 3968 were pediatric (mean age: 13.3 y), and 38,898 were adult (mean age: 36.2 y). The primary fracture etiology for both groups was being struck, followed by motor vehicle incidents and falls. Pediatric patients were more frequently treated at level I trauma centers, had shorter times for surgical intervention, and were more frequently transferred to other facilities compared to adults. Antibiotic use was similar between groups, and hospital complications were infrequent, with low rates of infection and unplanned return to the operating room.
Conclusions:
Mandibular fractures in children, though less common than in adults, exhibit unique epidemiological and management characteristics. Children were more frequently transferred for care and received surgical intervention sooner than adults. Antibiotic use and complication rates were low and similar across both groups. Further research is needed to establish specific treatment guidelines for pediatric mandibular fractures.
