Acute Life-Threatening Injuries in Facial Fracture Patients: A Review of 1,025 Patients

Abstract

These findings illustrate the need for prompt identification and proper management of the associated life-threatening injuries in facial fracture patients. Clinical assessment should begin with evaluation of cerebral trauma, followed by hemorrhagic shock, airway compromise, and hemopneumothorax. Proper management may require a multidisciplinary and coordinated team approach.

Presence of accompanying head injury in patients with maxillofacial trauma

“…[3,8,[14][15][16][17][18][19] There is a close relationship between the presence of accompanying head injury in patients with maxillofacial fractures. [2][3][4][5][6][7] The risk of experiencing head trauma varies between 2.04% and 14%. [2,[4][5][6][7] Patients with head trauma may be divided into those with intracranial hemorrhage, brain contusion and skull fracture.…”

“…[2][3][4][5][6][7] The risk of experiencing head trauma varies between 2.04% and 14%. [2,[4][5][6][7] Patients with head trauma may be divided into those with intracranial hemorrhage, brain contusion and skull fracture. Hohlrieder et al [15] and Kanno et al [18] evaluated only the patients with intracranial hemorrhage among those with maxillofacial trauma, and found the rates of intracranial hemorrhage as 9.7% and 9.0%, respectively.…”

“…[1][2][3] A close relationship between maxillofacial fracture and intracranial injury has been reported in many articles. [3][4][5][6][7][8] In many countries, cranial injury has been found to be the most common accompanying organ injury in patients with maxillofacial trauma. [2][3][4][5] This includes head traumas, intracranial hemorrhages, closed head traumas (brain contusion or laceration), or skull fracture.…”

“…[3][4][5][6][7][8] In many countries, cranial injury has been found to be the most common accompanying organ injury in patients with maxillofacial trauma. [2][3][4][5] This includes head traumas, intracranial hemorrhages, closed head traumas (brain contusion or laceration), or skull fracture. Generally, the presence of emesis, vomiting, loss of consciousness, or a low Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score are important findings for suspicion of a cranial injury.…”

“…[8] Presence of head trauma in patients with maxillofacial trauma is a life-threatening condition increasing the mortality. [5,7] Prompt detection may lead to improved results, as early decompression of an intracranial pressure is crucial in improving the outcome in head injury patients. [9][10][11] Thus, the healthcare provider who initially assesses the patient should examine the patient in terms of intracranial injury, which increases the morbidity and mortality.…”