[Injuries of the facial skull. First aid and possibilities for reconstruction]

Trauma of the facial skeleton often occurs together with other injuries. Treatment of these patients demand cooperation of all surgical disciplines in order to ensure operative treatment in only a few steps. In all facial injury, fractures of the facial skeleton must be excluded. In clinical examination, occlusion of the teeth is a very important symptom, diagnosis is established by radiology. It is the aim of the treatment to restore the facial skeleton in a good occlusion and position of the bones. It is necessary to restore the function of the stomatognatic system, of the paranasal sinuses and of the eyes. The use of modern osteosynthesis enables the restoration of the original dimensions of the face, i.e. profile, width and height of the face and occlusion of the teeth. Functional disorders like diplopia, perturbation of nasal breathing and of opening of the mouth are avoidable. Different systems of osteosynthesis plates are offered to stabilize the fractured bone, in most cases. Intermaxillary blockage is only necessary during surgery.