Tongue Lacerations in Children. The Zurich Tongue Scheme

Abstract

Tongue Lacerations in Children. The Zurich Tongue Scheme Abstract. Treating injured children is part of everyday life at a pediatrician's office or in an emergency department. Among the most common injuries are lacerations, mainly of the head, but the tongue can also be affected. Lacerations of the tongue mostly occur in early childhood due to fall when the child bites its tongue. No evidence-based treatment recommendations exist, even though such injuries are common. It makes a huge difference to the parents and children affected whether the treatment consists of a primary wound closure in general anesthesia or spontaneous healing can be awaited. In this article, the development and implementation of the Zurich Tongue Scheme will be discussed, the first evidence-based treatment recommendations for uncomplicated tongue lacerations in children.