Clinical study of mandibular fracture of children

Kim, Hyo Eon; Han, Kwang Heung; Kim, Tae Youl; Ko, Sung Joon; Jeon, In Seong; Yoon, Kyu Ho

Abstract

There are several factors that should be taken into consideration in the treatment of mandibular fracture of children. The growth pattern of mandible, teeth exchange, embedded tooth germs, and the fracture pattern different from that of adults are among those. In general, both surgical and non-surgical methods are considered as treatment protocols but the latter such as circumferential wiring with surgical plate would be a better choice when dealing with children of this type of trauma. This investigation was to estimate the fracture pattern of children in the northeastern area of Seoul, South Korea and compared the required results with literature reviews. The thirty-six child patients referred to the department of romaxillofacial surgery at Sanggyepaik hospital during last 12 years (from 1990 to 2002) were analyzed. This study shows the following results. The mandibular fracture was more prevalent among boys than girls. Falling was the most common cause of mandibular fracture in children aged 0 to 5 year. Symphysis and condyle were the most popular fractured sites in children. The circumferential wiring with surgical plate was the most provided treatment method.