Penetrating craniofacial trauma from a vice clamp: case report and discussion

Penetrating craniofacial trauma, although uncommon, has a high potential for death or serious morbidity from injury to vital neurovascular structures. An in situ facial foreign body, particularly if large, presents significant challenges beyond safe and timely removal. Airway management, stabilization of the object, management of increased intracranial pressure, and identification of injuries to local structures are all issues that may require addressing. We present a case of penetrating facial trauma from a vice clamp, with an in situ foreign body, that illustrates several of these challenges and provides a forum for their discussion.