Sports-Related Pediatric Facial Trauma: Analysis of Facial Fracture Pattern and Concomitant Injuries

摘要

>Objective  Sports-related injuries, such as facial fractures, are potentially debilitating and may lead to long-term functional and aesthetic deficits in a pediatric patient. In this study, we analyze sports-related facial fractures in the urban pediatric population in an effort to characterize patterns of injury and improve management strategies and outcomes. >Methods  Retrospective chart review was performed for all facial fractures resulting from sports injuries in the pediatric population at a level-1 trauma center (University Hospital, Newark, NJ). >Results  Seventeen pediatric patients were identified as having sustained a fracture of the facial skeleton due to sports injury. Mean age was 13.9 years old. A total of 29 fractures were identified. Most common fracture sites included the orbit ( n  = 12), mandible ( n  = 5), nasal bone ( n  = 5), and zygomaticomaxillary complex ( n  = 3). The most common concomitant injuries included skull fracture (n = 3), intracranial hemorrhage (n = 4), and traumatic brain injury (n = 4). One patient was intubated upon arrival to the emergency department. Hospital admission was required in 13 patients, 4 of which were admitted to an intensive care setting. Nine patients required operative intervention. Mean length of hospital stay was 2.4 days. No patients were expired.>Conclusions Sports-related facial fractures are potentially debilitating injuries in the pediatric population. Analysis of fracture pattern and concomitant injuries is imperative to develop effective management strategies and prevention techniques.