ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a case study of an 18-year-old man who is admitted to the emergency department after falling off his bicycle. Vital signs are normal and he has no cervical spine tenderness. Examination of the face reveals a graze on the chin and maximal jaw opening of 30 degrees. He has bilateral symmetrical step deformities adjacent to the chin and some maxillary tenderness. He also has reduced sensation of his lower lip. His occlusion is misaligned; however, he has no loose teeth. Facial injuries can range in severity from life-threatening to simple lacerations. They are often associated with other potentially serious multi-system trauma, and, as such, trauma patients should be assessed and managed as per Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) guidelines including careful assessment of head, neck and potential airway injury. Then the patient is referred to the local oral and maxillofacial surgery team for further management.
