Facial Trauma & Reconstructive Surgery

Facial fracture service

Facial fractures usually result from sports injuries, interpersonal violence, and motor vehicle accidents. Treatment requires advanced knowledge of facial bone anatomy, aesthetics, and dental occlusion (how teeth meet together). Our facial fracture service involves managing patients who present with subacute fractures (fractures that can be treated beyond the 72-hour window). 

Led by Dr Muammar Abu-Serriah, the team at MercyAscot Head and Neck Service provides world-class facial fracture reconstruction for patients suffering from facial trauma.

Some symptoms of facial fractures

Facial fracture symptoms depend on the injury location, as well as the direction and force of the impact. Blunt, low-energy impacts are unlikely to cause fractures but perhaps soft tissue swelling and bruises which heal normally.

Symptoms may include:

  • Painful or abnormal bite
  • Numbness of the cheek, nose, or top lip
  • Nose bleed or deviated nose
  • Crunchy noises when moving the jaw​
If you are worried about any of these symptoms, talk to your GP or family doctor and ask for a referral to the MercyAscot Head and Neck Service.

What treatment do we offer?

A patient will first undergo a comprehensive physical exam and, in most cases, a CT scan will be organised. At MercyAscot Head and Neck Service, patients can expect to be seen within 7-10 days once the swelling subsides. 

Appropriate management of facial fractures can be challenging, which is why the team at MercyAscot Head and Neck Service provides specialist care to treat patients promptly.

What we do not treat

We do not offer acute services. Any of the following should, therefore, be referred to the nearest and most appropriate hospital emergency department:

  • Active bleeding
  • Patients with acute airway injury/compromise
  • Associate intracranial (brain) injury
  • Reduced or deteriorating conscious level
  • Mandible fracture (fracture of the jaw) that needs immediate admission
  • Retrobulbar haemorrhage (bleeding behind the eyeball)
  • Facial skin mucosal lacerations (oral mucosal is the mucous membrane lining the inside of the mouth) that needs repair within 24 hours.

If you are worried about any symptoms, talk to your GP or family doctor and ask for a referral to the MercyAscot Head and Neck Service.