Management of severe facial injuries by local tissue traction.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the technique of tissue traction for the management of severe facial injuries.


METHODS
Twenty patients, 15 adults and five children, with severe soft tissue facial disfigurement resulting from war injuries were treated by the tissue traction technique.


RESULTS
This procedure provides a cosmetically acceptable appearance when used as an immediate measure. A few complications were encountered in delayed cases such as areas of skin breakdown and some stiffness.


CONCLUSIONS
The described technique proved to have several advantages over other more commonly used methods for closure of large wounds.
Shuker
S
S
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical City, Baghdad, Iraq.
D000328:Adult; D001864:Bone Wires; D002648:Child; D003286:Contracture / Q000601:surgery; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015626:Tissue Expansion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014143:Traction; D014857:Warfare; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000601:surgery*