Issue: Vol.82 (No. 6)
Pattern of maxillofacial trauma in children and adolescents: a three-year retrospective study
Authors:
Emre Çulha, Mustafa Sabak, Mikail Nahirci
Download full articele PDF
Background/Aim. Understanding the epidemiological aspects associated with maxillofacial traumas (MFTs) is necessary to develop effective preventive and protective strategies. The aim of this study was to assess the age-related characteristics and pattern of MFTs in patients under 18 years of age. Methods. A retrospective study analyzed clinical data from individuals aged 0–18 years with MFTs presenting to the emergency department over a three-year period. Data were related to epidemiological aspects such as age, gender, types of trauma, and type of bone fracture. А descriptive statistics of a data set and a χ2 test for categorical variables were used. Results. A total of 418 patients with MFT were included in this retrospective study. The mean age of the patients was 8.5 ± 5.5 years, and the mean Glasgow Coma Scale score was 14.7 ± 1.4. The most common type of bone fracture was cranial fracture (87.31%). The most common reasons for admission were assault (24.8%) in male patients and fall (79.2%) in female patients (p = 0.009 in both cases). Admissions peaked in August (11%), on weekdays (73.6%), and between 4:00 pm and midnight (49.4%). Consultations were requested for 63.4% of the cases, and the most frequent requests were at the Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Department (51.67%), especially for females (54.7%), and due to falls (67.4%). More consultation requests were sent for the patients from the 0–6 age group (66.5%). Conservative treatments were applied to 61% of all cases. The patients from the 0–6 age group (58.9%) were treated more frequently in surgical and intensive care units (p = 0.001), while the patients from the 7–12 (40%) and 13–18 (35.7%) age groups received conservative treatment more frequently (p = 0.001). The majority of patients aged 0–3 years (49.7%) were treated in surgical and intensive care units (p < 0.05). Conclusion. In pediatric patients in Türkiye, MFTs were most prevalent in the 0–3 age group, and MFTs were most often caused by falls. The fractures most frequently involved cranial bones. The findings of the study provide significant insights for defining preventive and health-promoting policies.
