Midfacial fractures in children and adolescents: a review of 492 cases

We studied the records of children and adolescents admitted to our hospital with facial fractures between 1993 and 2002. During the 10-year period, 492 patients with 555 midfacial fractures were treated. Their ages ranged from 1 to 18 years, the peak incidence being between 16 and 18. Three-hundred and eighty (77%) were boys. The zygoma was the most commonly fractured bone (n = 286), and the hard palate the least commonly fractured (n = 6). Motor-vehicles were responsible for 272 (55%) of all fractures. Most fractures were treated by closed reduction, and only 139 (25%) were treated by observation. Complications, including unsatisfactory fracture repair and infection, were recorded in 18 (4%) and the overall mortality was 1% (n = 8).