Maxillofacial injuries in the pediatric patient

Unfolding the Hidden Facts of Paediatric Maxillofacial Trauma

“…Palatal, premaxillary, and midline maxillary sutural growth is complete with suture obliteration by ages 8 to 12. After puberty and eruption of all teeth, the maxillary sinuses reach their full size [1,16].…”

“…Elasticity of the bone in children, the relatively small size of the face and the growth process in the young bone are also among the factors that influence the pattern of fracture. Ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint causing impairment of function is more common in children and damage to the condylar growth centre can result in facial deformity [1,16,17].…”

“…Maxillomandibular fixation with closed reduction may not permit anatomic reduction. Although nutrition and airway are concerns, child tolerance and subsequent compliance are the major drawbacks of this technique [1,19]. Maxillomandibular fixation is usually maintained for 3 to 4 weeks.…”

“…Maxillofacial fractures are uncommon in patients under 5 years old; fewer than 1% of maxillofacial fractures occur in this age group [1,2]. Because of the differences between adults and children in anatomic, physiologic, and psychologic development; magnitude and consequences of trauma differs.…”

“…Because of the differences between adults and children in anatomic, physiologic, and psychologic development; magnitude and consequences of trauma differs. The management techniques should be modified to address the child's particular stage of anatomic, physiologic, or psychologic development [1]. Multiple factors are responsible for this difference that includes the flexibility of the facial skeleton, the small size of the facial sinuses, the presence of multiple fat pads, unerupted teeth that may buttress the bone and a high level of adult supervision [3].…”