TITLE:
Management of Mandibular Fractures in Children in Ivory Coast: Experience of the Stomatology and Maxillofacial Surgery Department at the University Hospital of Cocody from 2000 to 2019
AUTHORS:
Bakary Ouattara, Camille Assouan, Laurent Boka Koffi, Konan René Kouakou, Ake Lucien Jonathan Yapo, Annick Zoglo-Bro, Ahi Morel Mounin Chapo, Affoué Linda Marie Pierre Koffi, Kahder Morel Diarra, Atse Kobo N’Guessan, Konan Marc Koffi
KEYWORDS:
Fractures, Mandible, Children, Treatment, Ivory Coast
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Stomatology,
Vol.14 No.7,
July
23,
2024
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Mandibular fractures in children are becoming increasingly common. Treatment of these fractures is difficult due to their anatomical and physiological complexity. Therefore, there is a need for well-codified management. Our main aim was to develop a decision algorithm for the management of mandibular fractures in children based on our experience. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study carried out in the Department of Stomatology and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University Hospital of Cocody over a period of 20 years (2000-2019). Results: We enrolled 58 patients. The mean age of the patients was 9.35 ± 2.3 years with a sex ratio of 2.22. Traffic accidents were the main cause of mandibular fractures (60.35%). Condylar fractures were the most common (46.87%). Treatment was orthopedic in 45.76% of cases, mixed (orthopedic and surgical) in 24.14% and surgical in 5.17%. Patients were followed up weekly for 1 month, then monthly for 6 months and annually for 3 years, with panoramic radiographs of the maxilla starting at 21 days. We observed 2 cases of complications: temporomandibular ankylosis and gingival stomatitis. Conclusion: Mandibular fractures are common in children. Management is difficult due to anatomical and physiological peculiarities. The choice of treatment depends on several criteria.