Objective To analyze the effect of medical tissue adhesive in the treatment of superficial maxillofacial trauma in children. Methods The clinical data of 151 children with superficial maxillofacial trauma admitted to the Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University from April to September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. According to different trauma treatment methods, they were divided into the reference group (n =33) and the observation group (n =118). The reference group received traditional suturing, and the observation group received medical tissue adhesive for bonding. The operation indicators, pain degree, prognostic effect and complication rate were compared between the two groups. Results The operation time of the observation group was shorter than that of the reference group, and the compliance score was higher than that of the reference group (P <0.05). The pain score of the observation group was lower than that of the reference group (P <0.05). There were no significant differences in the grade A healing rate at 7 days after operation and scar width at 3 months after operation between the two groups (P >0.05). The satisfaction rate of children's families in the observation group was higher than that in the reference group (P <0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups (P >0.05). Conclusion The application of medical tissue adhesive in the treatment of superficial maxillofacial trauma in children can shorten the operation time, improve children's compliance, help to reduce pain, and improve the satisfaction of children's families. It does not affect the healing status and scar width, nor increase the incidence of adverse reactions, with good application safety.