Facial Trauma Surgery

Our faces define our identity, and reflect our personality. Unfortunately, the results of facial trauma can alter our appearance and the way we feel about ourselves.

Facial trauma can result in permanent changes to our appearance or facial function and can affect the way we think the world sees us or the way in which we present ourselves to the world. As plastic surgeons we are trained to repair all types of facial injuries in such a way as to minimise as much as possible the long-term impact on appearance and function. Mr David Morgan will work with you to treat the areas of your face that have been affected by trauma to the skin and facial features.

Causes of facial trauma

Injuries to the face commonly occur as a result of motor-vehicle accidents, workplace or household accidents, sporting injuries, or assault. Children commonly sustain facial lacerations during play or as the result of a fall.

These injuries can be very distressing and our aim is to look after you in a caring and efficient manner, and to allow you to return to your normal activities as soon as possible. Many of these injuries can be treated under local anaesthesia on the same day. More significant injuries, and those in children, will usually require a general anaesthetic. Scarring will normally always result after a laceration, but with precise repair and careful post-operative wound management we hope to make the scar heal with as little impact on your appearance as possible.

Car accidents and facial trauma

Research shows that as many as 50–70% of people who survive severe traffic accidents acquire facial trauma. While the increased use of seat belts and airbags have shown a reduction in the incidence of facial trauma, fractures of the jawbone are not decreased by these protective measures.

All Surgical Procedures Carry Risks

Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified medical practitioner.

Individual results may vary due to a number of factors, including genetics, and variations in healing and recovery, and the potential for complications. The outcomes experienced by one person do not necessarily reflect the outcomes that other people may experience. Potential outcomes and possible variations will be discussed during your consultations

Cosmetic surgery is real surgery, and will most often require a general anaesthetic. All surgery will require a period of recovery before returning to normal activity, as outlined in the particular procedure information. Although uncommon, complications can and do occur, and may affect the final result of your surgery. The potential risks will be discussed fully during your consultations, and you will have the opportunity to ask questions about the various risks in your particular circumstances. Risks may include the general risks of surgery, as well as the risks specific to the procedure, and include poor quality scarring, excessive bruising and swelling, infection, bleeding, pain, asymmetry, nerve injury, anaesthetic complications, drug reactions, unsatisfactory cosmetic outcomes, the need for further surgery, and permanent disability and death.

As a specialist plastic surgeon, Mr Morgan is appropriately trained and qualified to deal with complications of surgery, including the ability to admit you to hospital, if required.

FAQs

What are some of the most common causes of facial trauma?

In many cases, injuries to the face occur as a result of motor vehicle accidents, as well as workplace and household accidents, sporting injuries or assault. Often, children sustain facial lacerations when they fall or hurt themselves accidentally while playing. Many of these kinds of facial injuries can be treated under local anaesthetic on the same day as the accident, although significant injuries often require a general anaesthetic. If you have suffered from some kind of facial trauma, we recommend that you come in and see Mr David Morgan so that he can determine the best course of treatment for your particular needs.

Do facial lacerations always leave a scar?

Some degree of scarring almost always results after a laceration on the face. That said, Mr David Morgan repairs facial injuries with extreme precision and provides extensive post-operative wound management in an effort to ensure that the scar heals with as little impact on your appearance as possible. As a plastic surgeon, Mr Morgan is specially trained to minimise the long-term impact of injuries on both appearance and function, and he will let you know how best to take care of your wound after surgery