Facial vein hemorrhage secondary to maxillofacial trauma: A case report

Abstract

Limited literature exists regarding massive hemorrhage following maxillofacial trauma. We present a case of facial hemorrhage resulting from a displaced mandibular body fracture.

A 69-year-old male presented 3 days after blunt trauma to the left mandible following a fall sustaining a left mandibular body fracture. The patient was initially hemostatic but later developed hemorrhage from the severed facial vein. He was emergently taken to the operating room for airway establishment and definitive treatment. Surgical exploration and ligation of the facial vein was an appropriate and effective treatment in this case given the superficial location of the vessel as well as allowing for definitive repair of the fracture.

We review alternative options for management of maxillofacial hemorrhage including direct packing, temporary anatomic bony reduction, and transcatheter embolization. A facial trauma provider needs to have a facile understanding of hemostasis methods to provide optimal care for the bleeding patient.