ResidentTraumaFINALhighres

213

VIII. Conclusion

The proper initial and subsequent management of soft tissue trauma

to the face, head, and neck can have far-reaching consequences for the

appearance, function, and quality of life of the injured individual. Because

of the importance of this region of the body, especially the face, in our

daily lives, it is a

prima facie

responsibility of the otolaryngologist–head

and neck surgeon to perform the most meticulous reconstruction of

these injuries. Proper attention to careful and gentle tissue handling,

minimal debridement of important facial tissue, repair of neurovascular

and ductal structures, and reduction of infection and scarring will all

benefit the patient’s ultimate result. This is particularly true in children,

where the stigmata of facial abnormalities will be borne by them during

the formative development of their self-esteem.

Most soft tissue injuries to the face, head, and neck will require second-

ary interventions to produce the best result, and the patient and/or

patient’s family should be apprised of this likelihood early in the acute

management phase, followed by the development of a comprehensive

plan for reconstruction that will inform them of the potential outcome,

including residual sequelae and possible disabilities. The surgeon must

relate to the patient and family in a caring and honest manner, develop-

ing the important relationship that should last through the possibility

of years of secondary reconstructive procedures. Following the funda-

mentals presented in this chapter, and seeking additional information

from other educational and clinical sources, the resident physician in

otolaryngology–head and neck surgery will be well prepared to care

for a wide range of traumatic injuries to the face, head, and neck.

IX. References

Zide BM, Swift R. How to block and tackle the face.

Plastic &

Reconstructive Surgery

. 1998;101(3):840-851.

2. Kraus SJ, Eron LJ, Bottenfield GW, Drehobl MA, Bushnell WD,

Cupo MA. Mupirocin cream is as effective as oral cephalexin in the

treatment of secondarily infected wounds.

J Fam Pract.

Dec

1998;47:429–433.