Unusual fronto-orbital fractures in children

Supraorbital blowin fracture presenting as an ocular dystopia in a nine-year-old girl

A 9-year-old girl was referred to a trauma centre with severe head injury. 3D CT scan revealed depressed fracture involving the frontal bone on the right side, right parietal bone, and right superior orbital margin, right lamina papyracea. The frontal table was managed conservatively and open reduction and internal fixation was done for the supraorbital blow in to correct the ocular dystopia. The clinical course, possible mechanism, and management of the patient are discussed.

Demographics and treatment options for orbital roof fractures

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this article was to review the frequency, germane anatomy, management modalities, and complications associated with the treatment of orbital roof fractures in the pediatric and the adult population.

STUDY DESIGN

A review of the past 30 years of the English-language maxillofacial surgical literature was undertaken. Important concepts were coupled with the authors' experience to provide a synopsis of contemporary thought on this topic.

RESULTS

More than 235 articles in the oral and maxillofacial, plastic and reconstructive, otolaryngology-head and neck, ophthalmologic, oculoplastic, neurologic, and pediatric surgical literature were reviewed and assessed. From this group, 50 articles were found to contain useful information.

CONCLUSIONS

It has been estimated that 1% to 9% of all facial fractures involve the orbital roof. The typical adult with an orbital roof fracture is a man (89%-93%) who has been involved in a high-energy impact and who has sustained concomitant multisystem injuries (57%-77%). Orbital roof fractures most commonly coexist with other craniofacial injuries. In contrast, in pediatric patients with an orbital roof injury, we see nearly equal sex distribution; the typical patient in this case has a frontobasal fracture that is minimally displaced or nondisplaced (53%-93%) and has sustained concomitant multisystem injuries. The pediatric patient is usually managed by means of observation alone (53%-86%). For the adult patient, a subcranial approach to the orbital roof by means of a bitemporal flap or superior blepharoplasty incision offers wide access with minimal morbidity. Currently available titanium microscrew and miniscrew and mesh systems offer a near-ideal modality for orbital roof reconstruction. The coexisting neurocranial, frontal sinus, and supraorbital rim fractures take priority over the management of orbital roof fractures. Complications associated with orbital roof injuries can be categorized as those attributed to the following: concomitant injury, surgical access, postreconstruction volume discrepancy, muscle entrapment, hemorrhage, and/or infection.

Mandibular fractures in children. A retrospective study of 99 fractures in 59 patients

Fifty-nine children younger than 16 years with mandibular fractures were studied by age, sex, type of fracture, cause, methods of treatment, and complications. The cases were divided into three age groups. The male-to-female ratio was 2.9:1. Motor vehicle accidents were the most common cause of mandibular fractures. Associated injuries were more common in young children. The condyle was involved in 43.3% of fractures. Intermaxillary fixation was the most common treatment used. Complications appeared to be rare.