Presenting characteristics and treatment outcomes for tongue lacerations in children.

PURPOSE: Tongue lacerations in children require treatment decisions by clinicians, but there is conflicting literature on the topic of suturing.

METHODS: In this prospective study, 28 patients (mean age 3.0 +/- 2.3 yr) with traumatic tongue lacerations were triaged according to an existing protocol to determine if the laceration would be sutured. At least 2 weeks post-trauma, 22 patients were evaluated by examination or report for quality of result and post-trauma complications. The most common location was anterior dorsum. A fall at home was the most common situation. Mean delay from injury to treatment was 4.5 +/- 9.0 h. No statistically significant difference was found for quality of result or post-trauma morbidity between those lacerations sutured and those not. No significant relationship was found between quality of result and size of laceration or bleeding at the time of presentation. Time delay did not significantly affect the quality of result.

CONCLUSION: Results suggest that suturing does not improve outcome or post-trauma course for tongue lacerations in young children.