Objective: To elucidate the details of impalement injuries of the oral soft tissue in children, we present a clinico-statistical study of those encountered in a single institution.
  Patients and Methods: Children below 13 years old, who visited our oral surgery clinic with the complaint of an impalement injury of oral soft tissue from December of 2001 to February 2009, were included.
  Results: Among 248 impalement injuries of the oral soft tissue, the one-year-olds were most affected and the frequency in boys and girls was 146 (59%) cases and 102 (41%) cases, respectively (boy to girl ratio 1.4:1). Toothbrush (81 cases, 33%) was the most frequent object responsible, followed by a stick-like object (59 cases, 24%). The most frequent direct cause of the injury was fall with the object in the mouth (203 cases, 82%). Soft palate (96 cases, 39%) was the most frequent site, followed by hard palate (31 cases, 13%). Most injuries occurred between 18:00 and 21:00 (105 cases, 42%) followed by 21:00 to 24:00 (66 cases, 27%). 162 cases (65%) had a laceration that was smaller than 10 mm. In cases with a laceration that was larger than 10 mm (68 cases, 27%). 148 cases (60%) was treated with antibiotics, 70 cases (28%) without treatment and 30 cases (12%) with suture and antibiotics.