EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT OF FACIAL FRACTURES

Facial fractures may portend intracranial and skullbase injury and may lead to rapid compromise of the airway. Primary care physicians may p rovide emergency care for patients who have sustained facial trauma. A fter immediate resuscitation and stabilization, management of facial f ractures requires knowledge of the anatomy, rapid treatment methods an d identification of potential associated injuries for each type of fac ial fracture. Differentiation between the life-threatening aspects of these injuries and the less urgent, but more apparent, facial injuries will lessen the risk of complications such as bleeding, meningitis an d asphyxia. Knowledge of the anatomy of the facial skeleton and of the potential injuries associated with each of the various types of facia l fractures will facilitate effective management decisions. Consultati on should be sought when functional features are involved or when the injury threatens to produce future cosmetic anomalies.