The management of life-threatening haemorrhage following blunt facial trauma

K. Ho*, J. J. Hutter, J. Eskridge, U. Khan, C. J. Boorer, R. A. Hopper, A. K. Deva

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Life-threatening bleeding is uncommon following blunt facial trauma. There have been few reports in the literature describing its optimal management and a clear approach to treatment is yet to be defined. Reported strategies for control of facial haemorrhage include oro-nasal packing, external carotid artery ligation, transantral ligation of the internal maxillary artery, maxillary reduction and angiographic embolisation. Advances in angiography and selective vessel embolisation have made this the treatment of choice in cases of bleeding following penetrating facial injury. Its use in the management of bleeding following blunt facial trauma is unclear. The combined experience of the facial trauma teams at Harborview Hospital, Seattle, USA and Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, Australia yielded four cases of severe life-threatening haemorrhage following blunt trauma that underwent angiography. The roles of various management strategies were evaluated to generate a preferred management pathway in treating severe bleeding following blunt facial trauma.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1257-1262
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
Volume59
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2006
Externally publishedYes

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