Younessi O James, Alcaino Eduardo A
Sydney Adventist Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Int J Paediatr Dent. 2007 Jan;17(1):66-71. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-263X.2006.00765.x.
Impalement injuries of the soft palate and oropharynx are common in children, especially those of preschool age. These injuries are particularly common in toddlers, given their propensity to fall easily while carrying objects in their mouths. Although most of these injuries do not have lasting sequelae, some can have devastating neurological complications, and consequently, careful assessment of the patient during the early stages of trauma is imperative. Close follow-up for up to 72 h, and parental counselling and instruction should be considered as part of their immediate care.
A case of toothbrush impalement in a 4-year-old child is presented. The foreign body was noted to be lodged in the cheek. After careful triaging, history taking and appropriate imaging, surgical removal of this brush was carried out uneventfully under general anaesthesia. No further complications were noted postoperatively, and because of the type of injury, the patient was discharged within 24 h and reviewed as an outpatient.
A survey of the literature confirms that most injuries of this kind can be treated conservatively, and in many cases, without surgical intervention. However, careful assessment by an experienced clinician is necessary to rule out other complications. The present paper discusses the prevalence, management and complications associated with impalement injuries of the oral cavity in children.
软腭和口咽穿刺伤在儿童中很常见，尤其是学龄前儿童。鉴于幼儿在嘴里含着东西时容易摔倒，这类损伤在幼儿中尤为常见。虽然这些损伤大多不会留下持久的后遗症，但有些可能会引发严重的神经并发症，因此，在创伤早期对患者进行仔细评估至关重要。应将长达72小时的密切随访以及对家长的咨询和指导视为即时护理的一部分。
本文介绍了一名4岁儿童牙刷穿刺伤的病例。发现异物卡在脸颊中。经过仔细分诊、病史采集和适当的影像学检查后，在全身麻醉下顺利地将牙刷取出。术后未发现进一步的并发症，由于损伤类型，患者在24小时内出院，并作为门诊病人接受复查。
文献调查证实，这类损伤大多可以保守治疗，在许多情况下无需手术干预。然而，需要有经验的临床医生进行仔细评估以排除其他并发症。本文讨论了儿童口腔穿刺伤的患病率、治疗方法及并发症。
