Surgical management of shotgun injuries of the face

The surgical reconstruction of patients with self-inflicted gun blast injuries to the face requires the most efficient management. There was a uniform pattern of tissue loss in the patients studied. The repair sequence was subjected to a retrospective analysis to indicate the most efficient co-ordination and return to a functional state. Emphasis must be upon the principle of initial salvage of as much bony structure as possible. Primary flap transfer or early mobilization of flaps for soft tissue repair are desirable in speeding restoration.