Chain-saw facial injuries

Accidents caused by kickback from chain saws produce facial injuries with consistent features. These features include oblique, destructive, ragged lacerations of the left side of the face. Although eyelid damage may be severe, damage to the globe itself is minimal. An analysis of 10 such accidents revealed this consistent pattern. Of this group, eight injuries were left-sided and six involved mainly the eyelid and adjacent structures. Only one patient was left with permanent damage to the globe and with slightly impaired (20/60) vision. The upper lid was always more severely damaged than the lower. The author discusses the merits and disadvantages of protective devices for both operator and machine.