Pediatric Facial Fractures

Excerpt

Trauma is a significant cause of morbidity and death in children. Trauma to the head is the most common anatomic site, and while facial fractures are infrequent, they can be severe and have life-long consequences.

Younger patients have more elastic cartilaginous and bony structures in the face and a larger cranium: face ratio; thus, fractures in very young children are rare. The growth patterns of the face dictate age-specific fracture patterns that differ from adults.

Though isolated facial fractures can occur, concurrent traumatic injuries to other nearby sites must always be considered, including injuries affecting the head, eyes, brain, neck, and airway.

This discussion highlights the pediatric-specific issues in the initial evaluation of facial fractures as these related topics are covered in detail in other StatPearls sections:

1. Pediatric Facial Trauma

2. Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma

3. Pediatric Head Trauma

4. Pediatric Skull Fractures

5. Nasal (Nasoorbitoethmoid) Fracture

6. Nasal Septal Fracture

7. Nasal Fracture Reduction

8. Le Fort Fractures

9. Frontal Sinus Fractures

10. Maxillary Sinus Fracture

11. Zygomatic Arch Fracture

12. Mandible Fracture

13. Basilar Skull Fractures

14. Traumatic Brain Injury

15. Tooth Fracture

16. Avulsed Tooth

17. Penetrating Head Trauma

18. Facial Nerve Trauma

19. Blunt Eye Trauma

20. Globe Rupture

21. Orbital Floor (Blowout) Fracture