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Trauma to the Face

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Textbook of Emergency General Surgery

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Abstract

The human face is comprised of numerous specialized structures that perform functions essential to quality of life. These include the senses of vision, taste and smell as well as critical functions, such as speech, chewing, and swallowing. Critical to identity by one’s self and to recognition by others, the face is a key component of social interaction.

Severe facial trauma can dramatically impair quality of life due to the critical functions of the face. Although the stakes are high regarding outcomes, true surgical emergencies of the face are rare. Optimal care of facial trauma is multidisciplinary and requiring collaboration with Plastic, Oral Maxillofacial, and Ophthalmologic surgeons, and well as Otolaryngologists. Craniofacial surgeons should be included on the treatment team early. Facial fractures and facial soft-tissue injuries are commonly associated with the blunt and penetrating trauma to include, automobile collisions, falls, sports injuries, and interpersonal violence. The majority of large facial lacerations can be addressed in the first 24 h following other emergency surgical procedures. Facial fractures can wait 24 h to 2 weeks depending on the fracture, associated conditions, and other traumatic injuries. In this chapter, we discuss facial injury patterns, emergencies, management and treatment timelines for facial trauma.

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Further Reading

  • Doerr TD. Evidence-based facial fracture management. Facial Plastic Surg Clin. 2015;23(3):335–45.

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  • Semer NB. Practical plastic surgery for non-surgeons. Philadelphia: Haley and Belfus; 2001. p. 145–59.

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  • Tuckett JW, Lynham A, Lee GA, Perry M, Harrington U. Maxillofacial trauma in the emergency department: a review. Surgeon. 2014 Apr;12(2):106–14.

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Acknowledgements

Disclaimer: The contents of this presentation are the sole responsibility of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or policies of Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), the Department of Defense (DoD) or the Departments of the Army, Navy, or Air Force. Mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. None of the authors have additional disclosures or conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Kerry P. Latham & Mark W. Bowyer

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  1. Kerry P. Latham
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  2. Mark W. Bowyer
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Correspondence to Mark W. Bowyer .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. General, Emergency and Trauma Surgery Dept., Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy

    Federico Coccolini

  2. General and Emergency Surgery Dept., Bufalini Hospital, Cesena, Italy

    Fausto Catena

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Latham, K.P., Bowyer, M.W. (2023). Trauma to the Face. In: Coccolini, F., Catena, F. (eds) Textbook of Emergency General Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-22599-4_42

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-22599-4_42

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-22598-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-22599-4

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