-LALIT KARKI
Facial trauma, also called maxillofacial trauma, is 
any physical trauma to the face. 
Injuries of face may involve 
• Soft tissues 
• Bones or 
• Both 
Causes: 
• Automobile accidents 
• Sports 
• Personal accidents 
• Assaults and fights
Signs and symptoms 
• Pain 
• Swelling 
• Epistaxis 
• Loss of function 
• Changes in the shape of facial structures 
• Disfigurement 
• Eye injuries
GENERAL MANAGEMENT 
• Airway maintenance 
• Control hemorrhage 
• Treat associated injuries of head, chest, neck, abdomen, cervical 
spine, pelvis & limbs 
• Wound debridement, bandaging and suturing of open wounds, 
administration of ice, antibiotics and painkillers 
• Treatment of maxillo-facial bone injury
Soft tissue injury 
• Facial lacerations 
• Avulsions 
• Bruises 
• Burns and cold injuries 
• Parotid gland and duct injury 
• Facial nerve injury
Fractures of the face
A. FRACTURES OF UPPER THIRD OF FACE 
a)Frontal Sinus 
• Anterior wall fractures 
• Posterior wall 
fractures. 
• Injury to nasofrontal 
duct
b)Supraorbital Ridge 
• periorbital ecchymosis 
• flattening of the eyebrow 
• Proptosis 
• Downward displacement of eye 
• Fragment of bone-pushed into the orbit and 
get impacted 
Treatment 
• open reduction-brow or transverse skin line 
incision of the forehead
c)Fractures of Frontal Bone 
• depressed or linear, with or without 
separation 
• often extend into the orbit 
• associated with brain injury and cerebral 
oedema 
• require neurosurgical consultation
B. FRACTURES OF MIDDLE THIRD OF FACE 
a)Nasal Bones 
and Septum 
• most common 
because of the 
projection of nose 
on the face. 
• Magnitude of force 
will determine the 
depth of injury 
Types 
• Depressed 
• Angulated
Clinical Features 
• Swelling of nose 
• Periorbital ecchymosis. 
• Tenderness. 
• Nasal deformity 
• Crepitus and mobility of fractured fragments. 
• Epistaxis. 
• Nasal obstruction. 
• Lacerations of the nasal skin
Diagnosis 
• Physical examination 
• X-rays -Waters' view, right and left lateral views 
and occlusal view 
Treatment 
• Simple fractures -no treatment 
• others may require closed or open reduction 
• reduction by closed methods-before the 
appearance of edema or after it has subsided
Closed reduction 
• Depressed fractures -a straight blunt elevator 
guided by external digital manipulation 
• displaced nasal bridge -firm digital pressure in the 
opposite direction. 
• Impacted fragments-disimpaction with Walsham 
or Asche's forceps before realignment. 
• Septal fractures are also reduced by Asche's 
forceps 
• Septal haematoma-must be drained 
• Unstable fractures require intranasal packing and 
external splintage.
Left Walsham Forceps 
Asch Forceps
Open reduction 
• Early open reduction -rarely required 
• Certain septal injuries can be better reduced 
by open methods 
Healed nasal deformities -corrected by 
rhinoplasty or septorhinoplasty
b)Naso-orbital Fractures 
• Impact over the nasion fractures 
nasal bones and displaces them 
posteriorly 
• Perpendicular plate of ethmoid, 
ethmoidal air cells and medial 
orbital wall 
• Other-cribriform plate, frontal 
sinus, frontonasal duct, 
extraocular muscles, eyeball and 
the lacrimal apparatus. 
• Medial canthal ligament may be 
avulsed.
Clinical Features 
•Telecanthus 
•Pug nose 
•Periorbital ecchymosis. 
•Orbital haematoma 
•CSF leakage 
•Displacement of eyeball 
Diagnosis 
•Various facial x-rays films -assess the extent of 
fracture and injury to other facial bones 
•CT scans
Treatment 
Closed reduction 
• Uncomplicated cases-reduced with 
Asche's forceps and stabilized by a wire 
passed through fractured bony 
fragments and septum and tied over the 
lead plates. 
• Intranasal packing & splinting for 10 days 
Open reduction 
• cases with extensive comminution of 
nasal and orbital bones & injuries to 
lacrimal apparatus, medial canthal 
ligaments, frontal sinus 
• H-type incision -extended to the 
eyebrows if access to frontal sinuses is 
also required. 
• Nasal bones & Medial orbital walls are 
reduced under vision and bridge height 
is achieved 
• Medial canthal ligament-restored. 
• Intranasal packing -restore the contour
c)Fractures of Zygoma (Tripod Fracture) 
• Zygoma is the second 
most fractured bone 
• cause is direct trauma 
• Zygoma is separated at 
its three processes 
• Orbital contents may 
herniate into the 
maxillary sinus
Clinical Features 
• Flattening of malar prominence. 
• Step-deformity of infraorbital 
margin. 
• Anaesthesia in the distribution of 
infraorbital nerve. 
• Trismus, due to depression of 
zygoma on the underlying 
coronoid process. 
• Oblique palpebral fissure 
• Restricted ocular movements 
• Periorbital emphysema
Diagnosis 
• Physical examination 
• Waters' or exaggerated Waters' view 
• CT scan of the orbital wall
Treatment 
• Open reduction and internal wire 
fixation gives best results 
• Wire fixation is done at frontozygomatic 
suture and infraorbital margin 
• Transantral approach -less 
favourable,antrum is exposed as in 
Caldwell-Luc operation, 
• Blood is aspirated, fracture reduced and 
then stabilised by a pack in the antrum. 
• Fractures of orbital floor can also be 
reduced 
• Antral pack is removed in about 10 days
Fracture of zygomatic arch
• Generally breaks into two fragments 
• Three fracture lines, one at each end and third 
in the centre of arch
Clinical features 
• Depression in the area of zygomatic arch 
• Local pain 
• Limitation of movement of mandible
Diagnosis 
• X- ray submentovertical view of skull 
• Waters view is also taken
Treatment 
• A vertical incision is made in the hair bearing 
area above or in front of the ear, cutting 
through temporal fascia. 
• An elevator is passed deep to temporal fascia 
and carried under the depressed bony 
fragments which are then reduced. 
• Fixation is usually not required
Fractures of orbital floor 
• Fractures of orbital floor occurs generally in 
zygomatic and Le Fort II maxillary fractures 
• Isolated fractures of orbital floor occurs in 
blow out fractures 
• Orbital contents may herniate into the antrum
Clinical features 
• Ecchymosis of lid, conjunctiva and sclera 
• Enophthalmos with inferior displacement of 
eyeball 
• Diplopia 
• Hypo aesthesia or anaesthesia of cheek and 
upper lip incase infraorbital nerve is involved
Diagnosis 
• X-ray waters’ view 
• Convex opacity bulging into the antrum from 
above (tear-drop opacity) 
• CT scan 
• Entrapment of inferior rectus and inferior 
oblique muscles is diagnosed by asking the 
patient to look up and down
Treatment 
Indications for surgery 
• Enphthalmos and persistent diplopia due to 
entrapment of muscle 
Reduction is done by finger passed into the 
antrum through a transantral approach 
Pack can be kept in the antrum to support the 
fragments 
Infra orbital approach through a skin crease of 
the lower lid can also be used either alone or in 
combination with transantral approach
• Fracture repaired by bone graft from the iliac 
crest, nasal septum or the anterior wall of the 
antrum 
• Silicon or teflon sheets also can be used for 
reconstruction of orbital floor
Fractures of maxilla 
• They are classified into 
three types as 
1. Le Fort I ( transverse) 
2. Le Fort II (pyramidal) 
3. Le Fort III (craniofacial 
dysjunction)
Le Fort I (transverse) 
• Fracture runs above and parallel to the palate 
• It crosses lower part of nasal septum, maxillary antral 
and the pterygoid plates
Le Fort II (pyramidal) 
• Fractures passes through the root of nose, 
lacrimal bone, floor of orbit, upper part of 
maxillary sinus and pterygoid plates
Le Fort III (craniofacial dysjunction) 
• There is complete seperation of facial bones from the cranial bones. 
• Fracture lines passes through root of nose, ethmofrontal junction, 
superior orbital fissure, lateral wall of orbit, frontozygomatic and 
temporozygomatic sutures and the upper part of pterygoid plates.
Clinical features 
• Malocclusion of teeth with anterior open bite 
• Elongation of mid face 
• Mobility in the maxilla 
• CSF rhinorrhea
Diagnosis 
• X-ray waters’ view, posteroanterior view, 
lateral view 
• CT scans
Treatment 
• Restore the airway and stop severe 
haemorrhage from maxillary artery 
• Fixation of maxillary fractures is done by 
• Interdental wiring 
• Intermaxillary wiring using arch bars 
• Open reduction and interosseous wiring 
• Wire slings from frontal bone, zygoma or 
infraorbital rim to the teeth or arch bars
Intermaxillary wiring
Interosseous wiring
C. Fractures of Lower third 
Fractures of mandible
Fractures of mandible 
• Fractures of mandible have been classified 
according to their location
Frequency of fracture
• Most of the mandible fractures are the result 
of direct trauma however, condylar fractures 
are caused by indirect trauma to the chin or 
opposite side of the body of mandible 
Displacement of mandibular fractures is 
determined by 
• The pull of muscles attached to the fragments 
• Direction of fracture line 
• Level of fracture
Clinical features 
• Pain and Trismus 
• Malocclusion of teeth 
• Ecchymosis of oral mucosa 
• Tenderness at site of fracture 
• Crepitus at site of fracture
Diagnosis 
• X-ray PA view of skull (for condyle) 
• Right and left oblique views of mandible
Treatment 
 Fracture reduction 
Closed methods (Inter-maxillary fixation): 
• Inter-dental wiring 
• Arch bars and rubber bands 
Open methods: 
• Inter-osseous wiring 
• Lag screws 
• Compression plates & screws
Arch bars and rubber bands
Inter osseous wiring
Lag screw
• Immobilization of mandible beyond 3 weeks in 
condylar fractures can cause ankylosis of 
temporomandibular joints 
• Therefore inermaxillary wires are removed 
and jaw exercises started
Facial trauma

Facial trauma

  • 1.
  • 2.
    Facial trauma, alsocalled maxillofacial trauma, is any physical trauma to the face. Injuries of face may involve • Soft tissues • Bones or • Both Causes: • Automobile accidents • Sports • Personal accidents • Assaults and fights
  • 3.
    Signs and symptoms • Pain • Swelling • Epistaxis • Loss of function • Changes in the shape of facial structures • Disfigurement • Eye injuries
  • 4.
    GENERAL MANAGEMENT •Airway maintenance • Control hemorrhage • Treat associated injuries of head, chest, neck, abdomen, cervical spine, pelvis & limbs • Wound debridement, bandaging and suturing of open wounds, administration of ice, antibiotics and painkillers • Treatment of maxillo-facial bone injury
  • 5.
    Soft tissue injury • Facial lacerations • Avulsions • Bruises • Burns and cold injuries • Parotid gland and duct injury • Facial nerve injury
  • 6.
  • 7.
    A. FRACTURES OFUPPER THIRD OF FACE a)Frontal Sinus • Anterior wall fractures • Posterior wall fractures. • Injury to nasofrontal duct
  • 8.
    b)Supraorbital Ridge •periorbital ecchymosis • flattening of the eyebrow • Proptosis • Downward displacement of eye • Fragment of bone-pushed into the orbit and get impacted Treatment • open reduction-brow or transverse skin line incision of the forehead
  • 9.
    c)Fractures of FrontalBone • depressed or linear, with or without separation • often extend into the orbit • associated with brain injury and cerebral oedema • require neurosurgical consultation
  • 10.
    B. FRACTURES OFMIDDLE THIRD OF FACE a)Nasal Bones and Septum • most common because of the projection of nose on the face. • Magnitude of force will determine the depth of injury Types • Depressed • Angulated
  • 11.
    Clinical Features •Swelling of nose • Periorbital ecchymosis. • Tenderness. • Nasal deformity • Crepitus and mobility of fractured fragments. • Epistaxis. • Nasal obstruction. • Lacerations of the nasal skin
  • 12.
    Diagnosis • Physicalexamination • X-rays -Waters' view, right and left lateral views and occlusal view Treatment • Simple fractures -no treatment • others may require closed or open reduction • reduction by closed methods-before the appearance of edema or after it has subsided
  • 13.
    Closed reduction •Depressed fractures -a straight blunt elevator guided by external digital manipulation • displaced nasal bridge -firm digital pressure in the opposite direction. • Impacted fragments-disimpaction with Walsham or Asche's forceps before realignment. • Septal fractures are also reduced by Asche's forceps • Septal haematoma-must be drained • Unstable fractures require intranasal packing and external splintage.
  • 14.
    Left Walsham Forceps Asch Forceps
  • 15.
    Open reduction •Early open reduction -rarely required • Certain septal injuries can be better reduced by open methods Healed nasal deformities -corrected by rhinoplasty or septorhinoplasty
  • 16.
    b)Naso-orbital Fractures •Impact over the nasion fractures nasal bones and displaces them posteriorly • Perpendicular plate of ethmoid, ethmoidal air cells and medial orbital wall • Other-cribriform plate, frontal sinus, frontonasal duct, extraocular muscles, eyeball and the lacrimal apparatus. • Medial canthal ligament may be avulsed.
  • 17.
    Clinical Features •Telecanthus •Pug nose •Periorbital ecchymosis. •Orbital haematoma •CSF leakage •Displacement of eyeball Diagnosis •Various facial x-rays films -assess the extent of fracture and injury to other facial bones •CT scans
  • 18.
    Treatment Closed reduction • Uncomplicated cases-reduced with Asche's forceps and stabilized by a wire passed through fractured bony fragments and septum and tied over the lead plates. • Intranasal packing & splinting for 10 days Open reduction • cases with extensive comminution of nasal and orbital bones & injuries to lacrimal apparatus, medial canthal ligaments, frontal sinus • H-type incision -extended to the eyebrows if access to frontal sinuses is also required. • Nasal bones & Medial orbital walls are reduced under vision and bridge height is achieved • Medial canthal ligament-restored. • Intranasal packing -restore the contour
  • 19.
    c)Fractures of Zygoma(Tripod Fracture) • Zygoma is the second most fractured bone • cause is direct trauma • Zygoma is separated at its three processes • Orbital contents may herniate into the maxillary sinus
  • 20.
    Clinical Features •Flattening of malar prominence. • Step-deformity of infraorbital margin. • Anaesthesia in the distribution of infraorbital nerve. • Trismus, due to depression of zygoma on the underlying coronoid process. • Oblique palpebral fissure • Restricted ocular movements • Periorbital emphysema
  • 21.
    Diagnosis • Physicalexamination • Waters' or exaggerated Waters' view • CT scan of the orbital wall
  • 22.
    Treatment • Openreduction and internal wire fixation gives best results • Wire fixation is done at frontozygomatic suture and infraorbital margin • Transantral approach -less favourable,antrum is exposed as in Caldwell-Luc operation, • Blood is aspirated, fracture reduced and then stabilised by a pack in the antrum. • Fractures of orbital floor can also be reduced • Antral pack is removed in about 10 days
  • 23.
  • 24.
    • Generally breaksinto two fragments • Three fracture lines, one at each end and third in the centre of arch
  • 25.
    Clinical features •Depression in the area of zygomatic arch • Local pain • Limitation of movement of mandible
  • 26.
    Diagnosis • X-ray submentovertical view of skull • Waters view is also taken
  • 27.
    Treatment • Avertical incision is made in the hair bearing area above or in front of the ear, cutting through temporal fascia. • An elevator is passed deep to temporal fascia and carried under the depressed bony fragments which are then reduced. • Fixation is usually not required
  • 28.
    Fractures of orbitalfloor • Fractures of orbital floor occurs generally in zygomatic and Le Fort II maxillary fractures • Isolated fractures of orbital floor occurs in blow out fractures • Orbital contents may herniate into the antrum
  • 30.
    Clinical features •Ecchymosis of lid, conjunctiva and sclera • Enophthalmos with inferior displacement of eyeball • Diplopia • Hypo aesthesia or anaesthesia of cheek and upper lip incase infraorbital nerve is involved
  • 31.
    Diagnosis • X-raywaters’ view • Convex opacity bulging into the antrum from above (tear-drop opacity) • CT scan • Entrapment of inferior rectus and inferior oblique muscles is diagnosed by asking the patient to look up and down
  • 33.
    Treatment Indications forsurgery • Enphthalmos and persistent diplopia due to entrapment of muscle Reduction is done by finger passed into the antrum through a transantral approach Pack can be kept in the antrum to support the fragments Infra orbital approach through a skin crease of the lower lid can also be used either alone or in combination with transantral approach
  • 34.
    • Fracture repairedby bone graft from the iliac crest, nasal septum or the anterior wall of the antrum • Silicon or teflon sheets also can be used for reconstruction of orbital floor
  • 35.
    Fractures of maxilla • They are classified into three types as 1. Le Fort I ( transverse) 2. Le Fort II (pyramidal) 3. Le Fort III (craniofacial dysjunction)
  • 36.
    Le Fort I(transverse) • Fracture runs above and parallel to the palate • It crosses lower part of nasal septum, maxillary antral and the pterygoid plates
  • 37.
    Le Fort II(pyramidal) • Fractures passes through the root of nose, lacrimal bone, floor of orbit, upper part of maxillary sinus and pterygoid plates
  • 38.
    Le Fort III(craniofacial dysjunction) • There is complete seperation of facial bones from the cranial bones. • Fracture lines passes through root of nose, ethmofrontal junction, superior orbital fissure, lateral wall of orbit, frontozygomatic and temporozygomatic sutures and the upper part of pterygoid plates.
  • 39.
    Clinical features •Malocclusion of teeth with anterior open bite • Elongation of mid face • Mobility in the maxilla • CSF rhinorrhea
  • 40.
    Diagnosis • X-raywaters’ view, posteroanterior view, lateral view • CT scans
  • 41.
    Treatment • Restorethe airway and stop severe haemorrhage from maxillary artery • Fixation of maxillary fractures is done by • Interdental wiring • Intermaxillary wiring using arch bars • Open reduction and interosseous wiring • Wire slings from frontal bone, zygoma or infraorbital rim to the teeth or arch bars
  • 42.
  • 43.
  • 44.
    C. Fractures ofLower third Fractures of mandible
  • 45.
    Fractures of mandible • Fractures of mandible have been classified according to their location
  • 46.
  • 47.
    • Most ofthe mandible fractures are the result of direct trauma however, condylar fractures are caused by indirect trauma to the chin or opposite side of the body of mandible Displacement of mandibular fractures is determined by • The pull of muscles attached to the fragments • Direction of fracture line • Level of fracture
  • 48.
    Clinical features •Pain and Trismus • Malocclusion of teeth • Ecchymosis of oral mucosa • Tenderness at site of fracture • Crepitus at site of fracture
  • 49.
    Diagnosis • X-rayPA view of skull (for condyle) • Right and left oblique views of mandible
  • 50.
    Treatment  Fracturereduction Closed methods (Inter-maxillary fixation): • Inter-dental wiring • Arch bars and rubber bands Open methods: • Inter-osseous wiring • Lag screws • Compression plates & screws
  • 51.
    Arch bars andrubber bands
  • 52.
  • 53.
  • 54.
    • Immobilization ofmandible beyond 3 weeks in condylar fractures can cause ankylosis of temporomandibular joints • Therefore inermaxillary wires are removed and jaw exercises started