Soft tissue pediatric facial trauma: a review.

Facial soft tissue injuries are common in pediatric trauma patients. Early diagnosis and definitive treatment as well as good postoperative wound care are important when dealing with soft tissue injuries, such as facial nerve and parotid injuries, animal bites, avulsive skin wounds and eyelid and ear lacerations. Children heal quickly, but they also tend to develop hypertrophic scars. Proper wound management during the healing period can help to minimize the risk of adverse scar formation. Dentists may be involved in the initial assessment of these patients. Knowledge of the diagnosis and management of soft tissue trauma is useful when dealing with pediatric patients and their parents postoperatively.