Outcomes of paediatric mandibular trauma using acrylic cap splint followed by circum-mandibular wiring

Abstract

Background: The incidence of facial fractures in children is relatively low compared to adults, accounting for approximately 1% to 15% of all facial fractures, with mandibular fractures being the most common due to the prominence of the chin and falls being a frequent cause. This study was designed to evaluate the clinical and functional outcomes of paediatric mandibular fractures treated with acrylic cap splint followed by circum-mandibular wiring.

Material & Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi from Aprile 2025 to February 2026. Patients with either gender with age range of 2 to 12 years were included with mandibular symphysis, para symphysis and body fracture. These patients underwent fracture management through cap splint with circum mandibular wiring and postoperatively evaluated for occlusal stability, fracture union, mouth opening, pain level and gingival health status on follow up.

Results: Most of the paediatric patients with mandibular fracture (64.0%) reported were from urban population with mostly boys around 52.5% with mean age of 6.65 ± 2.66 years. Patients reported with Symphysis area of mandible fracture as most frequent (44.6%) type of fracture. Among them around 85% shows fracture union and occlusal stability postoperatively which shows a high level of treatment effectiveness.

Conclusion: For paediatric mandibular fracture using of acrylic cap splint with circum-mandibular wiring shows excellent post op clinical outcomes such as occlusal stability and fracture union.