Citation

Thorén H, Schaller B, Suominen AL, Lindqvist C. J. Oral Maxillofac. Surg. 2012; 70(1): 92-96.

Affiliation

Consultant, Senior University Lecturer, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Kasarmikatu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.joms.2011.06.227

PMID

21958660

Abstract

PURPOSE: To clarify the occurrence, causes, severity, and predictors of concomitant injuries in pediatric patients with facial fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Files of 339 pediatric patients who had sustained facial fractures at age 15 years or younger were reviewed. Outcome variables were injured organ systems other than the face, types of injuries in areas other than the face, and severity of injuries in areas other than the face. Explanatory variables were gender, age, mechanism of trauma, and type of facial fracture. RESULTS: Concomitant injuries in organ systems other than the face were observed in 11.0%. Limb injuries occurred in 9.1%, head and neck injuries in 5.6%, and chest injuries in 1.8%. The most common injury types were upper limb injury (8.0%), brain injury (3.2%), and lower limb injury (2.9%). Severe head and neck injuries occurred in 3.5% and severe chest injuries in 1.2%. Concomitant injuries occurred more frequently after motor vehicle accidents and falls from height compared with other etiologies (P < .001) and more frequently in association with combined mandibular and midfacial fractures than in association with other fracture types (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant injuries in areas other than the face should be expected first and foremost after high-speed trauma mechanisms and in association with severe facial fractures. Concomitant injuries in general occur most frequently in the limbs, with severe concomitant injuries in particular occurring most often in the head and neck region and chest, emphasizing the importance of multiprofessional teamwork in the diagnosis of pediatric patients who have sustained facial fractures.

Language: en