Oropharyngeal Injuries in Children

BACKGROUND:Oral cavity and oropharyngeal injuries are common among pediatric patients seen in emergency rooms for head and neck trauma. The appropriate treatment of such injuries is often controversial. PATIENTS AND METHODS:Audit of 6 months' admissions to the pediatric emergency room in a secondary care referral center. Sixty-four patients were treated for various injuries. Charts were reviewed for relevant data. RESULTS:Description of distribution of types and sites of injuries and discussion of treatment recommendations. CONCLUSIONS:Most of oropharyngeal injuries heal without any intervention and therefore can be left untreated after being diagnosed. However, in certain injuries, treatment is indicated for better outcome results.