Soft palatal wound associated with dental avulsion: an exceptional consequence of a bovine horn blow in children

Eric Kouassi Zegbeh-N'Guessan,Ernest Martial Djémi,Pornan Issa Jules Bérété,Rokiatou Koné,Gréberet Emmanuel Crézoit,Gohi Bi Serge Irié

doi:10.1051/mbcb/2020035

Eric Kouassi Zegbeh-N'Guessan, Ernest Martial Djémi + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1051/mbcb/2020035

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Abstract

Introduction: Palatal wounds in children as a result of a bovine horn blow have rarely been observed in adults and almost never in children. They are serious and can lead to fatal complications. Dental injuries by bovine horn are also rare. Observation: This study presents the unpublished case of an 11-year-old child who developed a soft palate penetrating wound associated with traumatic loss of the lower incisors as a result of a bovine horn blow. The surgical outcomes were positive. Comment: This type of childly bovine trauma is common in rural African agricultural areas. Dental trauma probably served as a mitigator to the soft palate trauma thus avoiding an associated injury of the hard palate and a contusion of the internal carotid artery. Although, there is a consensus among practitioners on leaving palate wounds to heal spontaneously, we chose a debridement and a suture because of the severity of the wound and the potential risk of turning into an oral-nasal fistula. Conclusion: The potential severity of palate and dental damage from bovine horns should lead to dehorning of cattle for better protection of children in rural agriculture.

Highlights

An 11-year-old male patient, 130 centimetres tall, was admitted for maxillofacial trauma following a bovine assault. He was reportedly struck in the mouth by a horn during the agricultural work
The clinical examination revealed a traumatic dental avulsion of the lower incisors (Fig. 1), a soft palate wound covered by a blood clot
Surgical exploration under general anesthesia revealed a transfixant wound of the left half of soft palate through which visualized the cavum whose posterior wall was intact

Summary

Introduction

An 11-year-old male patient, 130 centimetres tall, was admitted for maxillofacial trauma following a bovine assault. He was reportedly struck in the mouth by a horn during the agricultural work. The clinical examination revealed a traumatic dental avulsion of the lower incisors (Fig. 1), a soft palate wound covered by a blood clot. Surgical exploration under general anesthesia revealed a transfixant wound of the left half of soft palate through which visualized the cavum whose posterior wall was intact.

Results

Conclusion