PENETRATING TRAUMA OF THE OROPHARYNX IN CHILDREN

Penetrating trauma of the oropharynx is not an uncommon problem in the pediatric population. Innocuous injuries with minor soft-tissue traum a have been associated with severe neurologic sequelae. A review of 77 oral trauma cases that occurred from 1981 to 1990 at Boston Children' s Hospital was undertaken to see if constant factors could be identifi ed so that a treatment protocol might be outlined for these patients. Twenty-three (30%) patients sustained injury to the soft palate and pe ritonsillar area. Fifty percent of these cases required surgical debri dement and repair. None of the 23 patients developed neurological sequ elae. Physical examination may not correlate with the development of s ymptoms nor the mechanism of injury. Care should be taken during the e xamination to identify any neurological problems that may not relate t o the degree of injury. Conservative management can be entertained if no abnormal neurologic findings are noted.