Facial trauma

When the patient is unable to perform any normal function, or a substantial cosmetic deformity occurs, the treatment is usually surgical. Goals include:

• Establish a clear airway.
• Control bleeding.
• Treat the fracture.
• Rule out other injuries.
• Fix broken bone segments with titanium plates and screws.
• Use existing lacerations and incisions in the mouth and around the eye and scalp during surgery to minimize scarring.
• Treatment should be immediate, as long as the patient is stable and cleared of all life-threatening injuries and the neck has been cleared of fractures.

Patients generally do very well with proper pre-operative workup and planning. The patient should be forewarned that they will most likely look different from their pre- injury state and that additional surgeries may be necessary 6-12 months later.

General complications include, but are not limited to:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Neurologic complications
• Facial asymmetry

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have a severe injury to your face.

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