Controversies in Pediatric Mandible Fractures

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

11:15 AM - 12:15 PM PT

Location: 408B

Moderator(s)

Jennifer D. McLevy-Bazzanella, MD

Program Director, Otolaryngology; Vice-Chair - Education
Westchester Medical Center
Valhalla, NY, United States

Panelist(s)

Sherard A. Tatum, III, MD

Distinguished Professor
SUNY Upstate Medical University
Syracuse, NY, United States
DB

Deo Balumuka, MBChB

Craniofacial Plastic Surgery, Pediatric Plastic Surgery
Westchester Medical Center, United States
SD

Shaun Desai, MD

Dr.
Johns Hopkins University, United States

Disclosure(s):

Sherard A. Tatum, MD, III:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

This panel session will present a series of cases selected to highlight the challenges of mandibular growth, imaging, mixed dentition, mandibular fixation, mandibular plating, and long-term growth consequences in ages ranging from infants to adolescents. Our panel is comprised of a pediatric otolaryngologist, a facial plastics surgeon with a focus on clefts and craniofacial surgery, a pediatric plastic surgery surgeon, and an adult facial plastic reconstructive surgeon. By combining unique perspectives, the depth and breadth of the controversies regarding optimization of pediatric mandible fracture diagnosis and management will be fully explored.

Learning Objectives:

Improve understanding of the mandibular growth patterns in infants, preschoolers, elementary, and adolescent patients and the implications on mandible fracture management.
Learn best management practices, including when to use a soft diet, when to use fixation, when to use a 3-D splint, and when to plate in pediatric mandible fractures.
Acquire strategies to assess for and mitigate complications associated with pediatric mandible fracture repair.