Table 1 Facial fractures complications
From: Facial fractures: classification and highlights for a useful report
Affected structures | Complications |
|---|---|
Intraorbital contents | Blindness, ophthalmoplegia and diplopia, increased orbital volume with exophthalmos |
Nerve foramina | Orbital apex (CN I) → unilateral blindness Superior orbital fissure-(CN III, CN IV, CN V1, and CN VI) → ophthalmoplegia, diplopia, ptosis Mandibular canal (branch of CN V3) → anesthesia of the ipsilateral lower lip, chin, anterior tongue, and mandibular teeth. |
Temporalis muscle impingement | Trismus |
Teeth | Dental fracture, avulsion, devitalization, malocclusion, soft-tissue infection, airway aspiration |
Drainage canals impairment | Frontal recess, sphenoethmoidal recess or ostiomeatal complex → mucocele Lacrimal duct → dacryocystitis |
Medial canthal tendon | Telecanthus |
Cribriform plate | Leakage of cerebrospinal fluid |
Multiple middle face fractures, condylar fractures | Blunt carotid artery injury |
Posterior extension | Blunt carotid artery injury, skull base nerve foramina affectation |