Facial injuries: Triage and applying damage control principles

Abstract

Facial trauma varies widely in its severity and is also frequently associated with other injuries which can make prioritisation of injuries difficult. An effective method of triage is important to ensure this. This article describes one such approach and discusses the application of damage control principles to facial injuries. Both these issues commonly impact on the management of multiply injured patients with coexisting facial injuries during the initial stages of resuscitation or soon afterwards. Understanding facial trauma is based in part, on parallels with orthopaedic trauma.