RESUMEN

Pediatric maxillofacial fractures, which are not very prevalent, account for around 5% of all face injuries. Children under the age of 13 are more susceptible to craniofacial injuries because they have a larger cerebral mass-to-body ratio than adults. The fracture pattern in children does not resemble that of adults, due to which the treatment of pediatric fractures differs from that of adults and can pose substantial difficulties to the pediatric dentist due to many factors, including the complex anatomy of the developing jaw. In this case report, a 5-year-old male patient presented with an injury to the upper and lower jaw. A case was managed with a conservative approach by using a modified open cap splint. A radiographic investigation, including CT brain and face, was done, which revealed the mandibular symphyseal fracture, bilateral condyle, and right Lefort II fracture. A modified open cap splint was fabricated and fixed with circummandibular and circumzygomatic wiring under general anesthesia. After two months, the fractured site showed good healing on orthopantomography (OPG), and satisfactory occlusion was achieved. The patient was kept on monthly follow-ups for up to five months. Treatment guidelines for pediatric maxillary and mandibular fractures are different from those for adults in that most pediatric cases are managed by a conservative approach. Cap splints are a versatile treatment option for juvenile mandibular fractures because they can be used to restore function and aesthetics with minimal morbidity, do not impede jaw growth or the development of dentition, and can be applied to patients of a wider range of ages.

RESUMEN

Mandibular fractures in the neonate are rare. The aetiological factors are traumatic delivery, accidental fall, road traffic accidents, and attempted infanticide. The diagnosis is difficult due to facial oedema masking the clinical features and the absence of dentition. The treatment of fractures in the newborn represents a unique problem in terms of investigations, diagnosis, selection of anaesthesia, and method of fixation. The case of a 1-day-old infant referred for the management of a mandibular fracture sustained in an accidental fall is presented herein. During oral suctioning, the neonatologist observed continuous blood-stained secretions, which raised the suspicion of a trauma to the oral cavity. The infant was diagnosed as having a fracture of the mandibular symphysis with displacement. The fracture was reduced under local anaesthesia with sedation, and was stabilized with an acrylic splint, which was secured with circum-mandibular wiring. The patient was followed up for 1.5 years and the healing was satisfactory.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Pierre Robin sequence is a congenital disorder that affects neonates, and is characterised by the classic triad of micrognathia, glossoptosis, and cleft of the secondary palate. We present the case of a child with Pierre Robin sequence who had severe respiratory distress and feeding problems, and describe a simple technique for forward traction of the mandible to relieve the respiratory distress and activate the tongue.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Mandibular fractures are relatively less frequent in children when compared to adults, which may be due to the child's protected anatomic features and infrequent exposure of children to alcohol related traffic accidents. Treatment principles of mandibular fractures differ from that of adults due to concerns regarding mandibular growth and development of dentition. A case of a 4.5-year-old boy with fractured body of mandible managed by closed reduction using open occlusal acrylic splint and circum mandibular wiring is presented. This article also provides a review of literature regarding the management of mandibular body fracture in young children.

RESUMEN

Pediatric patients present a unique challenge to maxillofacial surgeons in terms of their treatment planning as well as in their functional and nutritional needs which are different from that of adult patients. Early literature has advocated conservative closed management of pediatric fractures to prevent complications. However recent advances in maxillofacial surgery has enabled us to use biodegradable plates and screws, which overcomes the limitations of metallic plates. We present a comparison of two cases of parasymphysis fracture treated with circum-mandibular wiring and biodegradable plate fixation their outcome in terms of fracture healing and functional stability.