Outcomes of Closed Reduction in Pediatric Mandibular Fractures: A Cross-Sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52206/jsmc.2025.15.4.1135Abstract
Background: Pediatric maxillofacial trauma is less common than in adults, with mandibular fractures accounting for nearly half of cases. These injuries often result from falls, sports activities, or road traffic accidents and may lead to complications such as malocclusion, weight loss, trismus, and non-union.
Objective: To determine the outcomes of children with mandibular fractures managed by closed reduction in terms of malocclusion, weight loss, trismus, and non-union.
Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit of Mardan Medical Complex, Mardan, between December 2019 and June 2020. A total of 128 children aged 4–12 years with mandibular fractures were treated using closed reduction (maxillomandibular fixation). Clinical and radiographic assessments were performed pre- and postoperatively. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22, with a p-value ≤0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: The mean age of participants was 6.46 ± 1.95 years, with males representing 68.8% of the study population. Postoperative complications included malocclusion in 5 children (3.9%), weight loss in 10 (7.8%), trismus in 2 (1.6%), and non-union in 4 (3.1%). No significant differences in these outcomes were observed when stratified by age or gender.
Conclusion: Closed reduction is a reliable and conservative treatment modality for pediatric mandibular fractures, associated with low rates of malocclusion, weight loss, trismus, and non-union. This approach minimizes complications and preserves normal growth potential in children.
Keywords: Closed reduction, Malocclusion, non-union, Pediatric mandibular fractures, Trismus, Weight loss.
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