Tips on Facial Trauma Reconstruction Surgery

by Thomas R. Collins •

“I’m not sure that I’m totally comfortable recommending that we drop the arch bars in the majority of cases,” Dr. Kellman said. But, he added, “Certainly everyone agrees that in multiple fractures, combinative fractures, complex fractures, [and] associated midfacial fractures, we really have very few options and we must do it.”

Take-Home Points

  • In zygomatic bone fractures, consider exposing the zygomatic arch.
  • Obtaining proper occlusion is crucial in high-impact, high-velocity injuries.
  • Computer-aided imaging can be valuable in complex craniofacial reconstruction.
  • Scarring concerns should not trump position and orientation concerns in secondary reconstruction of traumatic soft-tissue deformities.
  • In single fractures of the mandible, arch bars might not be preferable, but they should probably be used in cases of multiple fractures.