Maxillofacial Trauma of Paediatric Patients: University of Malaya Experience

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the incidence, aetiology, types of injury, management and the outcomes of the treatment of maxillofacial trauma among paediatric patients treated in Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya. A retrospective study (2005-2015) was carried out which involved retrieving past records (manual/ electronic form) of paediatric patients (under 16 years old) who presented with maxillofacial trauma. Data collected was organized using descriptive statistics with SPSS version 12.0.1. The total number of patients was 120 but only 93 had complete records. The ratio of boys to girls was 2:1. The main cause of injury was falling (54%) followed by motor-vehicle accident (MVA) (42%), assault (3%), and sport (1%). The total count of soft tissue injury only was about 41% while 59% presented with maxillofacial fracture. Midface were the most common fracture occurred followed by mandibular fractures. Both fractures were mostly
managed by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) using non-resorbable plates except for condylar fractures which were mostly managed conservatively. In conclusion, the incidence of maxillofacial trauma in children increased within the time frame of this study. The most common aetiology was fall. Hard tissue injury accounting for most of the cases whereby midface was the most common site involved. ORIF was the treatment of choice for most of the fracture cases except for condylar fractures (conservative management). All patients had achieved reasonable outcomes postoperatively in terms of form and functions.