Pediatric maxillofacial trauma: unique features in diagnosis and treatment.

The purpose of this study was to review mechanisms, etiologies, associated injuries, and treatment of maxillofacial trauma in children and to compare them to similar adult injuries. Thirty blunt injuries (1984-1986) comprised the children's group, and 176 injuries, the adult group. Multiple associated injuries were more common in children, the most frequent being CNS and orthopedic injuries. Detailed anatomy of mandibular fractures required pleuridirectional tomography in 63% of the pediatric cases compared to 12% in adults. In the children's group, the mandibular fractures were favorable in 56% of cases compared to 15% in adults. Children required shorter periods of intermaxillary fixation with no child requiring reapplication of fixation. Based on these comparisons, a protocol for the management of pediatric maxillofacial injuries has been developed.