An approach to a repeated self-biting tongue injury in a toddler

Abstract

Background: Children with tongue injuries often visit the pediatric emergency department. The vast majority of cases can be conservatively treated, while some injuries require operative repair. The aim of this article was to demonstrate a "back-to-basics" approach to a refractory bifid tongue injury in a toddler.

Case description: A 1-year-old toddler with a tongue injury was unsuccessfully treated three times within a week by a surgeon in another specialty; all reconstructions were mucosal only. The case was then referred to our maxillofacial unit for proper management. On examination, the recurrent injury seemed to occur because of the patient's self-biting habit. We performed the fourth reconstruction of the tongue muscles and mucosa, and because of no dental prosthetic laboratory available in our hospital, we used transparent adhesive drapes fixed by resorbable sutures to cover the patient's anterior teeth instead of bite guards. The toddler was fed via a nasogastric tube for 1 week under 2-day antibiotic prophylaxis and routine oral care. The patient was discharged without any complications 1 week later.

Conclusions and practical implications: The causes of repeated orofacial injuries should be identified and require particular attention to establish a proper treatment. For intraoral injuries in pediatric patients, self-biting habits should not be overlooked. The application of materials in an operating theater can help the treating clinicians improve the treatment outcomes.

Keywords: Children; Recurrence; Surgery; Tongue injury.