Patients with maxillofacial injuries with or without facial fractures are at risk of acute or delayed traumatic brain injury. All patients should always have proper radiological investigations together with a proper observation and follow-up schedule.

ObjectiveFacial injury (FI) may occur in isolation or in association with injuries to other parts of the body (facial and other injury [FOI]). The objective of this study was to determine the direct treatment costs incurred during the management of facial trauma.Materials and methodsA prospective cohort study on treatment cost for FIs and FOIs due to road-traffic crashes in two university hospitals in Malaysia was conducted from July 2010 to June 2011. The patients were recruited from emergency departments and reviewed after 6 months from the date of initial treatment. Direct cost analysis, comparison of cost and length of hospital stay, and Injury Severity Score (ISS) were performed.ResultsA total of 190 patients were enrolled in the study, of whom 83 (43.7%) had FI only, and 107 (56.3%) had FOI. The mean ISS was 5.4. The mean length of stay and costs for patients with FI only were 5.8 days with a total cost of US$1,261.96, whereas patients with FOI were admitted for 7.8 days with a total cost of US$1,716.47. Costs doubled if the treatment was performed under general anesthesia compared to local anesthesia.ConclusionTreatment of FI and FOI imposes a financial burden on the health care system in Malaysia.

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Orbital fractures pose specific challenge in its surgical management. One of the greatest challenges is to obtain satisfactory reconstruction by correct positioning of orbital implant. Intraoperative computed tomography (CT) scan may facilitate this procedure. The aim of this study was to describe the early use of intraoperative CT in orbital fractures repair in our center. The authors assessed the revision types and rates that have occurred with this technique. With the use of pre-surgical planning, optical intraoperative navigation, and intraoperative CT, the impact of intraoperative CT on the management of 5 cases involving a total number of 14 orbital wall fractures were described. There were 6 pure orbital blowout wall fractures reconstructed, involving both medial and inferior wall of the orbit fracturing the transition zone and 8 impure orbital wall fractures in orbitozygomaticomaxillary complex fracture. 4 patients underwent primary and 1 had delayed orbital reconstruction. Intraoperative CT resulted in intraoperative orbital implant revision, following final navigation planning position, in 40% (2/5) of patients or 14% (2/14) of the fractures. In revised cases, both implant repositioning was conducted at posterior ledge of orbit. Intraoperative CT confirmed true to original reconstruction of medial wall, inferior wall and transition zone of the orbit. Two selected cases were illustrated. In conclusion, intraoperative CT allows real-time assessment of fracture reduction and immediate orbital implant revision, especially at posterior ledge. As a result, no postoperative imaging was indicated in any of the patients. Long-term follow-ups for orbital fracture patients managed with intraoperative CT is suggested.