Panfacial bone fracture: cephalic to caudal

Abstract

Theoretically, panfacial bone fractures involve all three areas of the face: frontal bone, midface, and mandible. In practice, when two out of these three areas are involved, the term "panfacial bone fracture" has been applied. We can use physical examination, simple radiologic examination, and computed tomography study for diagnosis. Linear fracture are treated by conservative treatment. But, most of panfacial bone fracture patients need to be treated by open reduction and internal fixation. Facial width is most important thing that we need to care during operation. There are many ways about sequence like "top to bottom," "bottom to top," "outside to inside," or "inside to outside" and the authors prefer "top to bottom" and "outside to inside" ways. The authors apply arch bar from the first of surgery and then, set frontal bone fracture, midface fracture and mandible fracture in sequence. Usually, we remove the stitches for 5 days after surgery and the intraoral stitch removed after 2 weeks. Usually arch bar is going to be removed 4 weeks after surgery. We could get acceptable results with the above way.