Resident Manual of Trauma to the Face, Head and Neck

VIII. Conclusion The proper initial and subsequent management of soft tissue trauma to the face, head, and neck can have far-reaching consequences for the appearance, function, and quality of life of the injured individual. Because of the importance of this region of the body, especially the face, in our daily lives, it is a prima facie responsibility of the otolaryngologist–head and neck surgeon to perform the most meticulous reconstruction of these injuries. Proper attention to careful and gentle tissue handling, minimal debridement of important facial tissue, repair of neurovascular and ductal structures, and reduction of infection and scarring will all benefit the patient’s ultimate result. This is particularly true in children, where the stigmata of facial abnormalities will be borne by them during the formative development of their self-esteem. Most soft tissue injuries to the face, head, and neck will require second- ary interventions to produce the best result, and the patient and/or patient’s family should be apprised of this likelihood early in the acute management phase, followed by the development of a comprehensive plan for reconstruction that will inform them of the potential outcome, including residual sequelae and possible disabilities. The surgeon must relate to the patient and family in a caring and honest manner, develop- ing the important relationship that should last through the possibility of years of secondary reconstructive procedures. Following the funda- mentals presented in this chapter, and seeking additional information from other educational and clinical sources, the resident physician in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery will be well prepared to care for a wide range of traumatic injuries to the face, head, and neck. IX. References 1. Zide BM, Swift R. How to block and tackle the face. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery . 1998;101(3):840-851. 2. Kraus  SJ, Eron LJ, Bottenfield GW, Drehobl MA, Bushnell WD, Cupo MA. Mupirocin cream is as effective as oral cephalexin in the treatment of secondarily infected wounds.  J Fam Pract. Dec 1998;47:429–433.

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