ASSOCIATED INJURIES IN FACIAL FRACTURES - REVIEW OF 839 PATIENTS

Patients with facial trauma may have associated injuries requiring imm ediate or specialised attention. This paper reports the incidence and nature of significant associated neurosurgical, ocular, spinal, torso and extremity injuries in facial fracture patients treated by the Depa rtment of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery from June 1989 to June 19 92. Of 839 patients treated during the period, 95 patients (11.3%) sus tained significant concomitant injuries outside the facial skeleton. T here were 45 (5.4%) patients with associated neurosurgical injuries, 3 3 (3.9%) with ocular injuries, 8 (0.9 %) with spinal injuries, 16 (1.9 %) with injuries of the torso, and 62 (7.4%) with injuries of the extr emities. The spectrum of the injuries is presented, Most neurosurgical injuries are a result of focal impact and the intervention required i s related mainly to local fracture management and the repair of dural tears. The risk of significant ocular injury is highest when the fract ure involves the orbit. Injuries of the spine, torso (chest, abdomen, pelvis), and limbs were seen mainly in road trauma patients.