MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Facial trauma

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Facial trauma

Contents of this page:
Alternative names Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests	Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider Prevention

Alternative names

Maxillofacial injury; Midface trauma; Facial injury; LeFort injuries

Definition Return to top

Facial trauma is any injury of the face and upper jaw bone.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

Blunt or penetrating trauma can cause injury to the midface region, which includes the upper jaw (maxilla). Common causes of facial injury include:

Automobile accidents
Violence
Penetrating injuries

Symptoms Return to top

Findings with trauma in this region include:

Difficulty breathing through the nose due to swelling and bleeding in the nasal region.
Changes in sensation and feeling over the face
Swelling around the eyes may cause limitations in vision.
Double vision
Missing teeth

Signs and tests Return to top

On physical exam:

Lacerations (breaks in the skin) are often seen.
Bruising around the eyes and/or widening of the distance between the eyes may indicate injury to the bones between the eye sockets.
When the upper jaw moves with the head stabilized, there may be a fracture in this area.
Abnormal sensations on the cheek and irregularities that can be felt on the facial region can indicate fractures.
The physical exam is often complemented by a CT scan of the head.

Treatment Return to top

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.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

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.

Complications Return to top

General complications include, but are not limited to:

Bleeding
Infection
Neurologic complications
Facial asymmetry

Calling your health care provider Return to top

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

Prevention Return to top

Wear seat belts and use protective head gear when appropriate. Avoid triggering potentially violent confrontations with other people.

Update Date: 7/8/2004

Updated by: Kevin Fung, MD, FRCS(C), Department of Otolaryngology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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