Combined cranio-facial fractures

Clinically, fronto-maxillary injuries may constitute a diagnostic problem, as their severity need not correlate with the patient's general condition. To establish a definitive radiological diagnosis, both normal standard films and tomographs are required. These will help to identify fracture lines involving the base of the skull. Most serious among the complications which may be associated with fronto-maxillary injuries is the occurrence of cerebrospinal rhinorrhoea with potential ascending infection. Other complications include oculomotor dysfunction, obstruction of lacrimal drainage and nasal airways as well as dental malocclusion. Primary surgical management is indicated in compound fractures, suspected intracranial haemorrhage and compression of the optic nerve, while fractures with associated dural injuries and involvement of orbital roofs as well as all other combined maxillo-facial fractures with functional impairment require early secondary management. Open exposure of the fracture site is best obtained through a coronal hair-line incision. Dural injuries are preferentially approached through craniotomies.