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Parkland Trauma Upper Face
Parkland Trauma Upper Face
Facial Skeleton
Avron Lipschitz, MD, and Brian Oleksy, DDS, MD
I. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
17
with early definitive treatment, wide exposure, mobilization, and rigid
17
stabilization of fracture fragments.
A. Anatomy
1. Paired pneumatized cavities in frontal bone
2. Borders: Anterior and posterior walls (tables), the orbital roof inferiorly,
and a bony intersinus septum medially (variable location)
3. Nasofrontal duct: located posteromedially in sinus floor; drains into the
middle meatus of the nose
4. Respiratory epithelium lines the sinus and the duct. Disruption leads to
stasis of secretions, infections, and mucoceles.
5. Anterior cortical bone wall is much stronger than the other facial bones.
6. Arterial supply is from the supraorbital, supratrochlear, and anterior
ethmoidal arteries.
7. The superficial venous system drains to the angular vein, and deep drainage
is to the subdural venous system through the foramina of Breschet.
8. Lymphatic drainage follows meningeal and nasal cavity lymphatics so
there is a risk of meningitis and brain abscess after fracture.
9. Sensory innervation to the soft tissues of the frontal region is from the
supraorbital and supratrochlear nerves (CN V).
B. Clinical presentation
1. A thorough neurological examination is imperative.
2. There is a high likelihood of accompanying facial fractures; the entire
maxillofacial region should be examined thoroughly.
3. Forehead and superior orbital rim depressions (can be masked by swelling)
4. Forehead skin lacerations, hematomas, and ecchymoses
5. Glabellar and forehead numbness from damage to supratrochlear and
supraorbital nerves
6. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea
a. Indicates dural tear from fracture of posterior table or cribiform plate
123
124 II. Frontal Sinus Fractures
b. Halo test (i.e., done by placing a drop of blood on gauze and examining
for a ring of CSF) or laboratory confirmation of beta-2 transferrin
c. Neurosurgery consultation
C. Radiographic evaluation
1. Traditional plain film radiographs have largely been replaced by fine cut
(1.5 to 3 mm) axial and coronal CT scans.
2. Used to evaluate involvement of the anterior and/or posterior table
3. Associated intracranial injury
4. Evaluate damage to the nasofrontal duct (posteromedial floor).
D. Management (Fig.17-1)
1. Goals of treatment:
a. Elimination of any factors that predispose toward development of
infection or mucocele formation
b. Restoration of normal sinus function, or complete obliteration if
indicated
c. Repair of cosmetic defects
2. Timing of treatment
a. Early surgical exploration and treatment, as soon as the systemic
conditions are stabilized (usually within the first week of injury)
b. IV antibiotics for 7 to 14 days in those with CSF leak
3. Nonoperative management for
a. Isolated anterior wall fractures without depression
b. Posterior wall fractures without displacement, CSF leakage, or
nasofrontal duct injury
c. Follow up in 6 to 12 months with imaging.
d. Antibiotic administration is controversial among the faculty at
Parkland Memorial Hospital.
4. Operative intervention for
a. Depressed anterior wall with cosmetic deformity: Coronal incision,
reposition fracture fragments, remove damaged lining, evaluate
posterior wall.
b. Nasofrontal duct injury: Sinus mucosa is removed to prevent future
mucocele and the cavity is obliterated using autogenous material
(e.g., fat, bone, fascia, muscle).
c. Posterior wall fractures without displacement but with CSF leakage:
Head elevation and spinal drainage when necessary for up to 10
days. If drainage is needed for longer than 10 days craniotomy,
dural repair, and sinus obliteration are needed. Antibiotics are given
at the discretion of the neurosurgeon.
d. Displaced posterior wall fractures with nasofrontal duct injury or
dural tear: Mucosa removal, sinus obliteration, or, rarely,
cranialization (Fig. 17-2).
E. Postoperative care
1. Systemic decongestants
2. The head of the bed is elevated 30 to 40 degrees.
3. Monitor CSF rhinorrhea.
II. Frontal Sinus Fractures 125
• No surgery
Non • Reduction and
• Antibiotics for 7 days
displaced fixation of the
• Follow-up
Anterior fracture
wall No • Antibiotics for 7
fracture days
Frontonasal
Displaced • Follow-up
duct injury
• Frontonasal duct
Yes
obliteration 17
• Sinus obliteration
• Reduction and
• No surgery
• Antibiotics for 7 days
No
• Follow-up
Non CSF • No surgery
displaced leak • Antibiotics Persistent
for 14 days CSF leak • Craniotomy
Yes
• Lumbar after 7–10 • Dural repair
drainage days
• Follow-up
Posterior
wall • Dural repair
fracture • Frontonasal duct obliteration
• Sinus obliteration
Yes • Reduction and fixation of the fracture
• Can be treated with cranialization
• Antibiotics for 14 days
CSF • Follow-up • Reduction and fixation
Displaced
leak of the fracture
No • Antibiotics for 7 days
• Follow-up
Frontonasal
No
duct injury • Frontonasal duct
obliteration
Yes • Sinus obliteration
• Reduction and fixation
of the fracture
• Can be treated with
cranialization
• Antibiotics for 7 days
• Follow-up
FIGURE 17-1
Treatment algorithm for frontal sinus fractures. (Adapted from Yavuzer R,
Sari A, Jackson IT, et al: Management of frontal sinus fractures. Plast Reconstr
Surg 115(6), 2005.)
126 III. Nasal Fractures
Dura
Temporalis
muscle plug
FIGURE 17-2
Cranialization of frontal sinus fracture with comminution of the posterior wall. The
posterior table is excised, the nasofrontal duct is plugged with temporalis muscle, and
the anterior wall is reduced and stabilized with rigid fixation, supplemented with bone
graft as necessary. (From Luce EA: Frontal sinus fractures: Guidelines to
management. Plast Reconstr Surg 80:500, 1987.)
A. Anatomy
1. Three vaults
a. The upper vault consists of the paired nasal bones and the frontal
process of the maxilla.
b. The middle vault comprises the upper lateral cartilages, the majority
of the septum, and the frontal process of the maxilla.
c. The lower vault contains the lower lateral cartilages and the inferior
edge of the septum.
2. Blood supply
a. Internal carotid artery (through the ophthalmic artery)
b. External carotid artery (through the facial and internal maxillary artery)
3. Innervation
a. Sensory via the first and second divisions of the trigeminal nerve (CN V)
III. Nasal Fractures 127
b. Procedure
i. Local anesthetic plus some degree of intravenous sedation is helpful.
ii. The nose is packed with pledgets containing 4% cocaine, both
for hemostasis and anesthetic effect (or Afrin).
iii. 1% to 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine to block
infraorbital, infratrochlear, and intranasal nerves
iv. A blunt-tipped elevator (Boise) or Asch forceps are used to
reduce bones (Fig. 17-3).
E. Postoperative care
1. To maintain stability of the fragments: postreduction packing of the nose
is left in place for several days with antibiotic-impregnated gauze.
2. An external nasal splint should be placed to help protect the nose from
further trauma and left in place for approximately 1 week.
3. Intranasal splints should also be considered if extensive septal
manipulation has been performed.
4. Patients undergoing closed reduction for nasal injuries should always be
counseled that subsequent open rhinoplasty may be necessary.
F. Complications
1. Include gross deviation in up to 70%
2. Difficulty breathing in up to 50%
3. May require secondary revision
A. Introduction
1. Fractures involving the nasal bones, as well as the nasal processes of
the frontal bone, and the frontal process of the maxilla.
FIGURE 17-3
Reduction of nasal fracture.
IV. Naso-Orbito-Ethmoid (NOE) Complex Fractures 129
9. Clear nasal drainage suspected of being CSF from a dural tear and
base of skull fracture in the region of the cribiform plate
10. Halo test or laboratory confirmation of beta-2 transferrin
D. Radiographic evaluation
1. Fine cut CT imaging (1.5 to 3.0 mm) is the modality of choice.
2. Fracture classification
a. Type I: single central segment without disruption of medial canthal
tendon
b. Type II: comminuted central segment but medial canthal tendon is
attached to large piece of bone
c. Type III: comminuted central segment with disruption of medial
canthal tendon insertion
E. Management
1. Goals
a. Early surgical exploration and treatment, as soon as the systemic
conditions are stabilized
b. Identify, anatomically reduce, and fixate the fractured fragments.
c. Repair and prevent postoperative telecanthus.
d. Normal nasolacrimal drainage
e. Restore cosmesis by re-establishing dorsal nasal height and projection.
f. Eliminating CSF leakage
2. Technique
a. Coronal incision and direct visualization of bony fragments
b. Rigid fixation of the fracture segments with titanium microplating
systems or wires allows accurate and stable fixation in a one-stage
surgical repair.
c. Closed intranasal reduction is done if the medial canthal ligament is
not avulsed.
d. Primary reconstruction of the dorsal nasal and medial orbital wall areas
is indicated if severe comminution prevents stable anatomic reduction.
e. Autogenous or allogeneic bone grafts
f. Straighten and repair nasal septum.
g. External nasal splints and nasal packing further stabilize the
segments if severe comminution exists.
F. Postoperative care
1. Elevate head of bed >30 degrees to decrease edema.
2. Caution against nose blowing and sneezing to prevent subcutaneous
emphysema.
3. Frequent ophthalmic examination to detect ocular complications
G. Complications
1. CSF rhinorrhea
a. Usually self-limiting and ceases in 24 to 48 hours
b. May require surgical intervention if persistent
2. Meningitis (incidence, 4% to 10%)—cover with antibiotics
3. Postoperative proptosis of the globe can be expected if primary grafting
of the orbital wall was performed.
V. Orbital Fractures 131
4. Postoperative epiphora
a. Should cease as edema resolves
b. Dacrocystorhinostomy may be necessary if there is trauma to the
lacrimal sac or duct with persistent dacryocystitis or obstruction.
5. Posttraumatic telecanthus or canthal asymmetry
a. Difficult to repair secondarily
b. Treated early in the postoperative course if identified
6. Persistent nasal problems
a. Loss of dorsal support
b. Airway obstruction
c. Secondary rhinoplasty may be required.
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A. Anatomy
1. 7 orbital bones: frontal, lacrimal, ethmoid, maxilla, zygoma, sphenoid,
and palatine
2. Optic canal contents: CNII optic nerve, ophthalmic artery
3. Superior orbital fissure contents: oculomotor (CN III), abducens (CN VI),
and trochlear (CN IV) nerves; lacrimal, nasociliary, and frontal divisions
of the trigeminal nerve (V); and superior ophthalmic vein
4. Inferior orbital fissure contents: zygomaticofacial and
zygomaticotemporal divisions of the trigeminal nerve (V) and inferior
ophthalmic vein
5. Infraorbital canal/groove contents: infraorbital nerve (V2) and artery
B. Clinical presentation
1. Subconjunctival and periorbital ecchymosis
2. Periorbital edema and/or proptosis
3. Epistaxis
4. Cheek hypesthesia with orbital floor fracture
5. Binocular diplopia
6. Enophthalmos
7. Entrapment of extraocular muscles causing decreased range of motion
C. Pathomechanics of orbital fractures
1. Roof fractures are rare in adults but more common in children because
the child’s cranium is proportionately larger than that of adults and the
frontal sinus is not completely pneumatized.
2. Lateral orbital wall fractures are usually secondary to zygomatic fractures.
3. Floor and medial wall fractures are caused by either an indirect
transmission of force through the orbital rim or direct transmission of
pressure from the globe or intraorbital contents to the floor, producing
orbital blowout fractures.
4. Blowout fractures (isolated internal orbital fractures without fracture of
the orbital rims) (Fig. 17-4).
Clinical Findings
a. Diplopia on upward gaze
132 V. Orbital Fractures
FIGURE 17-4
Blowout fracture. Coronal image of the orbit demonstrates depressed fracture of the
inferior wall of the left orbit with herniation of intraorbital fat tissue and inferior rectus
muscle.
b.Enophthalmos
c.Orbital emphysema
d.Oculocardiac reflex—bradycardia, hypotension
e.Potential ischemia of the inferior rectus if entrapment exists so
treatment is relatively emergent (more common in children)
f. Superior orbital fissure and orbital apex syndrome: fracture into the
superior orbital fissure, injuring cranial nerves III, IV, V1, and VI and
producing ophthalmologic, upper lid ptosis, proptosis, a fixed and
dilated pupil, and a sensory disturbance over the distribution of the
ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve, including loss of the
corneal reflex
5. Orbital blow-in fracture (Fig. 17-5)
a. Decreased intraorbital volume and exophthalmos
b. Pure blow-in fractures involve the roof, walls, or floor of the orbit but
not the orbital rim (extremely rare).
c. Impure blow-in fractures include the rim itself. Early recognition and
reconstruction are essential to prevent serious permanent complications.
6. Traumatic optic neuropathy
a. Direct trauma to the optic nerve.
b. Ischemia of the nerve from increased pressure secondary to edema
or hemorrhage
V. Orbital Fractures 133
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A. Introduction
1. High-energy blunt force to the side of the face typically inflicted during
a motor vehicle collision, fall, or interpersonal violence
2. The prominent convex shape of the zygoma makes it particularly
vulnerable to injury.
3. The zygomatic arch is thin and easily fractured alone or in concert with
the complex.
B. Anatomy
1. The zygoma is a tetrapod (Fig. 17-6).
2. It articulates with the greater wing of the sphenoid, frontal bone,
temporal bone, and maxilla.
C. Clinical presentation
1. Subconjunctival ecchymosis
2. Periorbital ecchymosis and edema
3. Cheek hypesthesia from damage to infraorbital nerve
4. Diplopia, hypophthalmos
5. Enophthalmos
6. Trismus
7. Loss of cheek (malar) prominence
8. Step defects of the bony lateral and infraorbital rim regions
D. Radiographic evaluation
1. Computed tomography is the gold standard.
2. Plain x-rays are inadequate evaluation in the modern trauma setting.
E. Management
1. Goals
a. Stabilization of the zygomatic arch
b. Restoration of normal contour and projection of the malar prominence
2. Technique
a. Closed reduction for simple noncomminuted fractures
b. Open reduction for trismus, orbital complications, facial asymmetry
VI. Zygomaticomaxillary Complex (ZMC) Fractures 135
Zygomatic process,
frontal bone
Greater wing
of sphenoid
Maxilla 17
FIGURE 17-6
Articulations of zygoma with midfacial bones. The zygoma makes up the anterior
lateral portion of the inferior orbit.