The cases of 173 children (under 16 years of age) treated for facial injuries at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Cologne, FRG, between 1981 and 1989 are reported. 63 of these patients had fractures of the body of the mandible. 32 patients could be treated with miniplate osteosynthesis (after Champy). Our results show that accurate diagnosis is imperative if complications and late sequelae are to be avoided.