Course Description:

Facial fractures are usually described as fractures involving the midface/nasal bones, maxilla, zygomatic arch, mandible, or orbital floor. Fractures of the frontal bone or cranium are not usually included in this category. The difficulty in managing facial fractures arises from the diverse facial fracture types and the various complications and precautions associated with each of them. The types of facial fracture are 1) nasal fracture, 2) orbital fracture, 3) zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fracture, 4) mandibular fracture, and 5) Le Fort fracture. Each type has varying signs and symptoms, pathogenesis, and complications, all of which must be understood in order to differentiate between them. Having such knowledge can help prevent significant cosmetic problems or even life-threatening conditions. Facial fractures occur most commonly in young males, who account for 50-90% of cases. Surgical intervention is required to repair the majority of facial fractures. High-risk sports accidents (e.g., soccer, ice hockey, skiing, cycling), physical altercations, motor vehicle accidents, falls, and industrial accidents are the most common causes of facial fractures. At this time, there are no published guidelines on return to play for individuals who have sustained facial fractures