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Facial trauma

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Maxillofacial injury; Midface trauma; Facial injury; LeFort injuries

Treatment:

Surgery is needed if the person can not function normally or if a substantial deformity is present.

The goal of treatment is to:

• Create a clear airway
• Control bleeding
• Treat the fracture
• Rule out other injuries
• Fix broken bone segments with titanium plates and screws
• Leave the fewest amount of scars possible

Treatment should be immediate, as long as the patient is stable and there are no neck fractures or life-threatening injuries.

Expectations (prognosis):

Patients generally do very well with proper treatment. The patient should gently told that they will probably look different than they did before their injury, and that additional surgeries may be needed 6-12 months later.

Complications:

General complications include, but are not limited to:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Neurologic complications
• Facial asymmetry

Calling your health care provider:

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

• Review Date: 8/3/2006
• Reviewed By: Alden J. Pearl, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, State University of New York Health Science Center atBrooklyn, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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