Facial injuries from falling: age-dependent characteristics.

A retrospective analysis was undertaken of 108 patients with facial injuries from falling who presented at the Plastic Surgery Unit of the Toyo-oka Public Hospital from 1988 to 1990. Facial injuries from falling were common in little children, in those < 6 years of age comprising 45.4% of injuries. Age-dependent characteristic injury sites were found (i.e., in those < 2 years old, the forehead; in small children, the chin; in students, the lip; and in older persons, the cheek); this disparity can be explained by the mechanism of injury. The injury pattern also depended on age, varying activities, and tissue strength. In children of < 6 years of age, small lacerations on the forehead or chin were most common, but even conservative treatment could achieve good results. On the other hand, inadequate suturing by emergency room physicians brought on poor results. In adults, abrasions and traumatic tattoos occurring with late-night inebriation tended to develop some sequelae.