Facial Fractures

About Facial Fractures

Fractures of the facial skeleton can disrupt eating, speech and swallowing while leaving visible asymmetry. The right plan depends on which bones are involved, whether one or several sites are broken, the state of the overlying soft tissue and the age of the patient. Our team in Lucknow assesses each injury individually so that bone alignment, dental occlusion and facial contour are addressed together rather than in isolation.

The mandible, or lower jawbone, is one of the commonest sites of fracture, with certain anatomical regions being especially vulnerable. Patients usually present with painful or restricted mouth opening, disturbed bite alignment and occasionally loose or missing teeth. Most cases occur in young men following road traffic accidents or assault. We confirm the pattern with an OPG, plain X-rays and, increasingly, a 3D CT scan to map displacement and rule out additional fracture lines.

Surgical management remains the cornerstone of mandibular fracture care. The first step is reduction, bringing broken edges back into close anatomical contact. We prefer Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF) under direct vision because it permits the most precise alignment. Once reduced, the segments are stabilised with titanium miniplates and screws, allowing early jaw movement, predictable bone healing and a quicker return to a normal diet.

The maxilla forms the upper jaw and contributes to the orbit, nose and cheek. Midface injuries are grouped using the Le Fort classification into three patterns of increasing severity. Patients may present with a painful bite, mobile teeth, and a flattened, dish-shaped or elongated face. Reconstruction restores midfacial projection, occlusion and orbital position, often combining ORIF with bone grafting where comminution is significant.

At Kayakriti, Dr. Agarwal, FRCS Edinburgh, also manages associated injuries to the orbit, zygoma, nasal bones and soft tissues so that the face is treated as a single unit. Pre-operative imaging, careful surgical planning and meticulous follow-up help us deliver dependable functional and aesthetic outcomes for trauma patients across Lucknow and the wider region.

What to expect

• Detailed clinical examination and review of trauma history
• OPG, plain radiographs and 3D CT scans for fracture mapping
• Counselling on Le Fort patterns, ORIF and recovery timelines
• Surgery under general anaesthesia with airway-safe planning
• Titanium miniplate and screw fixation under direct vision
• Restoration of dental occlusion and facial contour
• Coordinated care for soft tissue and dental injuries

Recovery

• Soft diet for several weeks while bone heals
• Antibiotics, analgesics and oral hygiene measures
• Gradual jaw movement exercises to prevent stiffness
• Suture removal and wound checks within two weeks
• Imaging review to confirm bone union
• Return to routine activity over six to eight weeks