Pediatric Facial Trauma at a Rural Level One Trauma Center
Abstract
Pediatric facial trauma is a significant source of morbidity, and its epidemiology may differ across regions and geographic settings. We sought to characterize pediatric facial trauma at a rural Level I trauma center. An IRB-approved retrospective review was conducted at a rural Level I trauma center. All pediatric patients over a four-year period requiring trauma team activation and presenting with facial trauma, as defined by preselected ICD-10 codes and appropriate specialist evaluation, were included. Chart data from 79 patient records were abstracted to define the epidemiology, mechanisms, and clinical management patterns of injury and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Analysis demonstrated an adolescent (ages 12–17) and male (75%) predominance. Motor vehicle collisions (27%), ATV/motorcycle accidents (14%), falls (11%), and dog bites (11%) were the most common mechanisms overall. While lacerations were the most common injuries among patients aged 0–4 and 5–11 years, nasal bone fractures predominated in patients aged 12–17; overall, lacerations were the most frequent injury type, followed by nasal bone fractures. Half of injuries were managed operatively, and the remainder were managed nonoperatively or at the bedside. These findings describe the epidemiology and management patterns of pediatric facial trauma in a rural setting and support the importance of maintaining specialty craniofacial trauma care within rural Level I trauma centers.
Start Time
15-4-2026 1:30 PM
End Time
15-4-2026 4:30 PM
Room Number
Culp Ballroom 316
Poster Number
38
Presentation Type
Poster
Presentation Subtype
Posters - Competitive
Presentation Category
Health
Student Type
Graduate and Professional Degree Students, Residents, Fellows
Faculty Mentor
Jeremy Powers
Pediatric Facial Trauma at a Rural Level One Trauma Center
Culp Ballroom 316
Pediatric facial trauma is a significant source of morbidity, and its epidemiology may differ across regions and geographic settings. We sought to characterize pediatric facial trauma at a rural Level I trauma center. An IRB-approved retrospective review was conducted at a rural Level I trauma center. All pediatric patients over a four-year period requiring trauma team activation and presenting with facial trauma, as defined by preselected ICD-10 codes and appropriate specialist evaluation, were included. Chart data from 79 patient records were abstracted to define the epidemiology, mechanisms, and clinical management patterns of injury and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Analysis demonstrated an adolescent (ages 12–17) and male (75%) predominance. Motor vehicle collisions (27%), ATV/motorcycle accidents (14%), falls (11%), and dog bites (11%) were the most common mechanisms overall. While lacerations were the most common injuries among patients aged 0–4 and 5–11 years, nasal bone fractures predominated in patients aged 12–17; overall, lacerations were the most frequent injury type, followed by nasal bone fractures. Half of injuries were managed operatively, and the remainder were managed nonoperatively or at the bedside. These findings describe the epidemiology and management patterns of pediatric facial trauma in a rural setting and support the importance of maintaining specialty craniofacial trauma care within rural Level I trauma centers.
