Emergency care in facial trauma--a maxillofacial and ophthalmic perspective.
Facial trauma, with or without life- and sight-threatening complications, may arise following isolated injury, or it may be associated with significant injuries elsewhere. Assessment needs to be both systematic and repeated, with the establishment of clearly stated priorities in overall care. Although the American College of Surgeons Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) system of care is generally accepted as the gold standard in trauma care, it has potential pitfalls when managing maxillofacial injuries, which are discussed. Management of facial trauma can arguably be regarded as "facial orthopaedics", as both specialities share common management principles. This review outlines a working approach to the identification and management of life- and sight-threatening conditions following significant facial trauma.
Perry
Michael
M
Maxillofacial Unit, The Royal Group of Hospitals, Grosvenor Road, Belfast BT12 6BA, Northern Ireland, UK. mikepmaxfax@yahoo.com
Dancey
Anne
A
Mireskandari
Kamiar
K
Oakley
Peter
P
Davies
Simon
S
Cameron
Malcolm
M
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000517:prevention & control; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D011187:Posture; D019315:Retrobulbar Hemorrhage / Q000628:therapy; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control