Glass particle injury to the maxillofacial region

A retrospective study was carried out wherein 10 patients with glass particle injury reporting to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery between January 2011 and March 2012 were included. Preoperative photographs and radiographs were done, and detailed surgical planning followed. Ninety percent of the patients were males with involvement of the right side of the face in 70% of the cases. The most common presenting symptom was patient sensation, which was the reason for availing delayed treatment in 70% of cases, followed by delayed or fibrotic healing (20%) and pain (10%). The diagnosis and planning were done based on computed tomographic scan (50% cases), plain radiographs (30%), needle as tactile aid (10%), and palpation (10%). Eighty percent of cases were diagnosed/presented late. The timely diagnosis of glass particle injuries requires a high degree of suspicion for the same. A systematic diagnosis and treatment planning for such injuries can minimize the morbidity and prevent such injuries from being overlooked at time of primary injury.