Facial Fractures

The understanding and management of craniofacial fractures have evolved through remarkable innovations in high-resolution imaging, surgical and fixation techniques, endoscopy, biomaterials and implants, bone grafting, new and refined classification frameworks, and algorithms for intervention. The concept of facial buttresses first described forty years ago now serves as a guide to reconstruction of the underlying skeleton to re-establish the height, width, and projection of the face. With the advent of 3D computed tomography and intraoperative imaging, surgeons have expanded the armamentarium for surgical planning and navigation, especially beneficial for accurate repair in complex cases. All of these advances have improved patient outcomes and raised expectations for functionally and aesthetically acceptable results. A brief overview of the assessment and management of facial fractures is presented. This review contains 1 figure, 4 tables, and 43 references. Key words: facial fracture, facial trauma, plastic surgery, orbital, maxillofacial, injury, Le Fort, malocclusion, skeletal buttress