title: [Soft tissue injuries of the face].
abstract: Traumatic lesions of the soft tissues of the face may have an important social impact in affecting vital functions of the face as well as esthetics. Despite of some tolerance in adapting to tissue loss, major tissue of the face needs to be reconstructed at all levels. Primary treatment is most successful if reconstructions are performed atraumatically, using well vascularized tissues and respecting the esthetic units of the face. Functional structures such as the eye lids, the lips, the facial nerve and the parotid duct should be repaired as a primary procedure. Scar maturation is a prerequisite before performing secondary corrections.
authors.affiliation: Afdeling Plastische Chirurgie, Academisch Ziekenhuis St. Radboud te Nijmegen, postbus 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen.
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Spauwen
mesh_terms: D004954:Esthetics; D005145:Face / Q000601:surgery; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000601:surgery*
vernacular_title: Verwondingen van de weke delen van het gelaat.