MANDIBULAR FRACTURES IN SRI-LANKAN CHILDREN - A STUDY OF CLINICAL ASPECTS, TREATMENT NEEDS AND COMPLICATIONS

A total of 37 children younger than 11 years of age who had mandibular fractures were studied. Age, sex, type of fracture, incidence, etiology, methods of treatment and complications were compared in this study. Frequency of these injuries of 818 hospitalized children was 4.5 percent of all facial injuries. Male to female ratio was 2.4:1. Unilateral fractures were more common than combinations. Condyle was involved in 45.9 percent of fractures. Maxillomandibular fixation for two weeks was the method of treatment employed in 35.1 percent. Complications were rare; infection was observed in two cases, malunion and non-union were not seen. Infection was seen in only two patients. Undisplaced fractures can be successfully managed with no fixations.