Traumatology – restoring the face

Injuries to the face demand precise anatomical knowledge: in a small space, nerves, muscles, salivary glands and bone lie close together, and every structure has a task that should be preserved.

The framework first

The priority is the early restoration of the bony framework. Fractured sections of jaw are fixed in their original position with plates and screws – the method is called osteosynthesis. Only on a stable foundation can soft tissue and teeth be sensibly treated.

Missing bone

Where the accident has destroyed bone, the body's own tissue can replace it. Depending on the extent, it is taken from the iliac crest, a rib or the shoulder blade; if bone and soft tissue are missing at the same time, both are transplanted together.

Incisions nobody sees

Wherever possible the operation is performed from the inside: the incisions run inside the mouth. Visible scars on the face can largely be avoided that way.