Complex Facial Trauma
Complex Facial Trauma
Facial trauma is an injury of the face. It may include the facial bones such as the upper jaw bone (maxilla).
Causes
Facial injuries can affect the upper jaw, lower jaw, cheek, nose, eye socket, or forehead. They may be caused by blunt force or be the result of a wound.
Common causes of injury to the face include:
- Car and motorcycle crashes
- Wounds
- Sports injuries
- Violence
Symptoms
Symptoms may include:
- Changes in feeling over the face
- Deformed or uneven face or facial bones
- Difficulty breathing through the nose due to swelling and bleeding
- Double vision
- Missing teeth
- Swelling or bruising around the eyes that may cause vision problems
Treatment
Surgery is done if the injury prevents normal functioning or causes a major deformity.
The goal of treatment is to:
- Control bleeding
- Create a clear airway
- Treat the fracture and fix broken bone segments
- Prevent scars, if possible
- Prevent long-term double vision or sunken eyes or cheek bones
- Rule out other injuries
Treatment should be done as soon as possible if the person is stable and does not have a neck fracture.