Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Volume 66, Issue 1 , Pages 58-64, January 2008

Pediatric Craniofacial Trauma

  • Nicole M. Eggensperger Wymann, MD, DMD

      Affiliations

    • Resident, Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland.
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress correspondence and reprint requests to Dr Eggensperger Wymann: Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Bern, Inselspital, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland
    • ,
  • Alexander Hölzle, DMD

      Affiliations

    • Student, Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland.
    • ,
  • Zacharias Zachariou, MD

      Affiliations

    • Head of Department, Department of Surgical Pediatrics, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland.
    • ,
  • Tateyuki Iizuka, MD, DDS, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Professor and Senior Maxillofacial Surgeon, Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland.

Purpose

Maxillofacial and skull fractures occur with concomitant injuries in pediatric trauma patients. The aim of this study was to determine the causes and distributions of maxillofacial and skull fractures as well as concomitant injuries of pediatric patients in Switzerland. Results were compared with worldwide studies.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective review was conducted of 291 pediatric patients with maxillofacial and skull fractures presenting to a level-I trauma center over a 3-year span. Data concerning the mechanism of the accident and the topographic location of the injuries were analyzed.

Results

The most common causes were falls (64%), followed by traffic (22%) and sports-related accidents (9%). Fifty-four percent of the fractures occurred in the skull vault and 37% in the upper and middle facial third. One third of the patients (n = 95) suffered concomitant injuries, mostly cerebral concussions (n = 94).

Conclusions

The spectrum of craniofacial injuries is related to the specific developmental stage of the craniofacial skeleton. It is probable that national prevention programs will have a positive effect on reducing the incidence of falls. Standardization of studies is needed for international comparison.

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PII: S0278-2391(07)00621-0

doi:10.1016/j.joms.2007.04.023

Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Volume 66, Issue 1 , Pages 58-64, January 2008

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