Abstract
Purpose: Because of traffic accidents and many criminal violences, the incidence of facial trauma has been increasing not only in adults but also in children. We planed this study to introduce our experience about pediatric blow out fracture and provide more information. Methods: We made retrospective study in 76 children with blow out fracture from January 2001 to September 2005 by retrospective chart review including detailed preoperative and postoperative evaluations, age, sex, cause, symptom and sign, and their post-operative complications. Results: Among our patients, 69 were male and 7 were female. The ages ranged from 7 to 18 years, which shows the greatest incidence of blow out fracture. Physical violence(46%) was the most common cause in this group and was followed by vehicle accident(28%), and fall down accident(17%). Left side(64%) showed slightly more incidence than right side(36%), but there were no statistical importance. Ecchymosis(88%) was the most common symptom and followed by periorbital swelling(68%) and diplopia(30%). 30 patients was diagnosed with another facial bone fracture and nasal bone(51%) was the most common associated facial bone fracture. Fourty four Patients(60%) got an orbital wall reconstruction in 7 days after trauma. After the operation, only 3 patients(4%) suffered from diplopia postoperative 3 month, and resolved in 4 years. Conclusion: The incidence of blow out fracture in children has been increasing every year, and violence has become more important etiology of pediatric blow out fracture and public and private education institutions were the most common place that blow out fracture originated. Accurate diagnosis and careful treatment plans are important in pediatric blow out fracture.