Chapter 31 Maxillofacial Trauma

Maxillofacial injuries that require hospital attendance are common and are most frequently related to trips and falls, road traffic accidents, taking part in sports and inter personal violence. Initial assessment requires a focused history of the mechanism of injury and a general medical and social history, followed by clinical examination. Maxillofacial bone fractures can be divided into several types: simple, compound, comminuted, complicated, greenstick and pathological. Lacerations are a result of crushing injuries where the soft tissues are compressed onto the underlying bone, usually by a blunt object. Sharp implements, such as a knife or glass, cause incised wounds. The history should include the mechanism of injury, past medical history and the postinjury events. The primary survey is aimed at protection of the airway, control of bleeding, restoration and maintenance of the circulation and assessment for neurological deficits, including the Glasgow Coma Scale score, with cervical spine control.

Multiple Choice Questions
Weblinks

Websites

https://surgeryreference.aofoundation.org/cmf/trauma/

AO online resource that provides a comprehensive guide on the management of craniomaxillofacial trauma.

https://dentaltraumaguide.org/injury-groups/permanent-teeth/

This resource provides an evidence-based approach to the management of dentoalveolar trauma. A subscription is required for full access to the guidelines.

https://portal.e-lfh.org.uk/myElearning/Index?HierarchyId=0_69&programmeId=69/

e-Face online resource (in conjunction with the NHS e-Learning for Healthcare project) developed by the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (BAOMS).

Guidelines

https://www.entnet.org/wp-content/uploads/files/ResidentTraumaFINALhighres.pdf/

Residents’ manual of trauma to the face, head and neck published by the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation.

https://www.aaoms.org/docs/media/facial_protection_month/first_aid_101_for_head_neck_and_face_injuries.pdf/

First aid management of maxillofacial trauma in the form of a poster produced by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS).

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