Pediatric Craniofacial Injuries: Concept of Treatment

Pediatric craniofacial trauma is one of the leading factors of morbidity and mortality. Significant advances in management have been made through the last three decades. The objective of this study was directed to study the pattern of pediatric craniofacial fracture according to child age. Retro-spective study was done on 18 pediatric cases treated at the last two years at the Department of Neurosurgery and Maxillofacial Surgery Shebin Al-Kom Teaching Hospital. The age of the cases ranged from six months to 14 years with mean age 7-6 years. Road traffic accident was the cause in 13 cases while fall from height was the cause in five cases. After complete evaluation clinically and radiographically with necessary consultation, the cases were treated under general anesthesia by both maxillofacial and neurosurgeon in almost all of the cases. The post-operative course was uneventful except in one case, a second surgery was needed for removal of the micro plates which was missed for two years and local arrest of growth happened. The pediatric craniofacial skeleton is unique from that of the adult in different aspects. The pattern of fractures changes according the stage of the child growth and it has a good reflection on method of treatment.