title: Maxillofacial trauma--developments, innovations and controversies.
abstract: Despite seat belt and alcohol legislation, craniofacial trauma still remains a common health problem and significant workload in many maxillofacial units. Although management has evolved considerably from "wiring teeth together", complex fractures can still result in cosmetic and functional deformity. Today's challenge is to consistently restore patients back to their pre-injury form and function-but this is not always possible. Greater understanding and developments have significantly improved outcomes, although controversy still exists in some areas. This review outlines some of these topics.
authors.affiliation: Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. mikepmaxfax@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Perry
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002648:Child; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000150:complications; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D005626:Frontal Sinus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D008335:Mandibular Condyle; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012086:Reoperation / Q000379:methods; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D013043:Specialties, Surgical / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends*; D013997:Time Factors; D014025:Titanium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D014025:Titanium