Complications of pediatric facial fractures

Pediatric facial fractures account for only 5% of all facial fractures, with even a much lower incidence in children younger than 5 years (1%-1.5%). The evolution of principles in the management of pediatric facial fractures and the differences in management between adult and pediatric patients have been well documented in the literature. Pediatric facial fracture management presents unique challenges because it might affect growth in the area specific to the trauma segment. Children are, in several ways, at a regenerative advantage: greater osteogenic potential, faster healing rate, primary dentition that is thereby temporary, and the capacity for significant dental compensation. Perhaps because of this, complications such as infection, malunion, nonunion, and postinjury malocclusion are relatively rare compared with the adult population. In this article, we will focus on different approaches to complications that arise after pediatric fracture management.