Health Encyclopedia

Facial trauma

Definition

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

Alternative Names

Maxillofacial injury; Midface trauma; Facial injury; LeFort injuries

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Blunt or penetrating trauma can cause injury to the area of the face that includes the upper jaw (maxilla). Common causes of injury to the face include:

Automobile accidents
Penetrating injuries
Violence

Symptoms

Changes in sensation and 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 around the eyes that may cause vision problems

Signs and tests

The doctor will perform a physical exam, which may show:

Bleeding from the nose, eyes, or mouth, or nasal blockage
Breaks in the skin (lacerations)
Bruising around the eyes or widening of the distance between the eyes, which may mean injury to the bones between the eye sockets

The following may suggest bone fractures:

Abnormal sensations on the cheek and irregularities that can be felt
An upper jaw that moves when the head is still

A CT scan of the head may be done.

Treatment

Patients who cannot function normally or who have significant deformity will need surgery.

The goal of treatment is to:

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

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

Expectations (prognosis)

Patients generally do very well with proper treatment. You will probably look different than you did before your injury. You may need to have more surgery 6 - 12 months later.

Complications

General complications include, but are not limited to:

Bleeding
Uneven face (asymmetry)
Infection
Brain and nervous system (neurologic) complications
Numbness or weakness

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.

Prevention

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

Review Date:8/6/2009
Reviewed By:Alan Lipkin, MD, Otolargyngologist, private practice, Denver, CO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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