Abstract

Purpose: This study examines age distributions of pediatric maxillofacial and nasal fractures and assess whether 1) open reduction method and fracture site in childhood predict craniofacial deformity in adulthood, and 2) age at nasal fracture in childhood predicts septoplasty/rhinoplasty after 16 years.Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using de-identified, nationwide administrative claims from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) covering January 2007 through March 2023. Patients under 16 years who had been assigned International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revi-sion (ICD-10) facial fracture codes were identified; outcomes included facial deformity codes after 16 years and septoplasty/rhinoplasty after 16 years; statistics included chi-square test, 3×2 χ², or Fisher’s exact tests.Results: Initial diagnosis occurred at median age 10 years for maxilla, 9 years for mandible, and 11 years for nasal fractures; first open reductions clustered at 13–14 years across sites. No significant association was found between open vs closed reduction or fracture site and adult mandibular/maxillary deformity, whereas nasal-fracture age groups differed in later septal surgery rates, with adolescence showing higher risk (p<0.05).Conclusion: Pediatric facial fractures and first open reductions concentrate around early–mid adolescence, open vs closed reduction and fracture site did not predict adult craniofacial deformity, and adolescent nasal fractures were strongly associated with septal surgery in adulthood, supporting targeted prevention and long-term follow-up in this age group. (J Korean Dent Assoc 2025; 63(12): 391-398)