banner ad
Experts Logo

articles

Early Treatment of Facial Injuries

By: Dr. Thomas Zaydon
Tel: 305-856-3030
Email Dr. Zaydon

Website: drzaydon.com

View Profile on Experts.com.


Workers, subject to the ordinary risks of everyday life, are potential candidates for trauma to the face.

A significant number of facial injuries result from industrial trauma. No set program can cover the treatment of an injured individual. Emphasis should be placed on the simplest and most direct method which will provide the best outcome and the earliest return to duty.

A prompt and thorough assessment of the injured worker is usually carried out at an emergency room or urgent care center. Since trauma does not respect the boundaries of any specialty, it is the responsibility of the initial triage facility to obtain appropriate consultation whenever necessary. The facility should not be diverted by the most apparent injury or focus therapy slowly within his or her own particular specialty.

Treatment of a facial injury should be guided by the functions of the face and its components.

Physiologically, an airway should be preserved, a solid mobile jaw with functional contiguous soft tissue for normal chewing, talking, and swallowing should be strived for, and functional eyelids for protection of vision should be a goal of any worker who has sustained facial trauma. Too often a facial injury which appears minor to the initial physician ultimately may become serious by developing a tremendous psychological problem for the patient. Therefore, facial trauma must be considered in a slightly different light than similar trauma occurring in most other parts of the body where function is a primary concern and a repair.

In facial injuries, proper measures must be taken for the best possible aesthetic repair. Regardless of the patient's job description, there is a natural human desire to present as normal and as pleasing a facial appearance as possible. The initial repair of a facial injury, if well conceived and properly executed, will often yield a better final result than can be obtained by multiple procedures performed secondarily. Furthermore, additional medical expenses, disability, and time away from work can be avoided.

With proper early care, there would be less tendency toward infection, mal-union of the underlying bones, and other untoward sequelae.

Inadequate primary treatment with superimposition of added trauma may result in deformities which are difficult to correct and certainly prolong morbidity and cost for an injured worker.

In many instances, satisfactory primary repair would be the only correction that is required. Occasionally there may be a need for secondary surgery, however, the best ultimate results can be achieved with few exceptions by an adequate initial restoration of post-traumatic anatomy.

Facial disfigurement and resultant emotional burden on an individual will markedly hinder his social, educational, and economic activities for the remainder of his or her life. Disabling psychological alterations of the facial structures often compound this problem.

These possible sequelae stress the need for applying sound principles of plastic surgery during the early treatment of initial injuries to obtain successful functional and aesthetic results, as well as return to duty at the earliest possible time.

A plastic and reconstructive surgeon will provide insight on the early treatment of facial injuries secondary to industrial trauma.

Issues relevant to Workers Compensation will be addressed, such as when the patient can be expected to return to work and when maximum medical improvement can be expected.

Strategies for successful cost-effective care of facial injuries will be elucidated. The presentation is geared toward non-plastic surgery physicians, nurse-case managers, and adjusters.

Suggestions for employers and risk managers to minimize facial injury claims will be listed.


Dr. Thomas J. Zaydon, M.D. F.A.C.S, is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with over 30 years of experience.. Dr. Zaydon is the founder of The Cosmetic Surgery Institute of Miami and is a recognized authority on Plastic and Reconstructive and Burn Surgery. During his tenure, he has worked in the medical field in the emergency room, providing surgical procedures and performing surgery on patients who need long term or short-term care.

©Copyright - All Rights Reserved

DO NOT REPRODUCE WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION BY AUTHOR.

Related articles

Thomas-Zaydon-Cosmetic-Surgery-Expert-Witness-Photo.jpg

1/3/2014· Plastic / Reconstructive / Cosmetic Surgery

What The Attorney Needs To Know About Scars

By: Dr. Thomas Zaydon

Scars are a normal consequence of wound healing. Frequently, scars are often "an issue" when an attorney evaluates damages in a medical/legal form.

Thomas-Zaydon-Cosmetic-Surgery-Expert-Witness-Photo.jpg

11/21/2013· Plastic / Reconstructive / Cosmetic Surgery

Unrecognized Soft Tissue Injuries In A Medical Practice

By: Dr. Thomas Zaydon

Physicians are often called upon to evaluate and manage a wide scope of soft tissue injuries. Damage to adjacent structures or organs are sometimes overlooked, even after thorough evaluation by the initial practitioner. The prudent practitioner will consider a plastic surgical evaluation, but fully evaluating certain types of trauma.

Thomas-Zaydon-Cosmetic-Surgery-Expert-Witness-Photo.jpg

6/12/2024· Plastic / Reconstructive / Cosmetic Surgery

The Crucial Role Of A Plastic Surgeon Expert Witness In Scarring And Deformity Cases

By: Dr. Thomas Zaydon

Plastic surgeon expert witnesses play a pivotal role in evaluating and managing cases involving scarring, deformity, and disfigurement. They serve as critical liaisons between the medical and legal realms, ensuring that justice is served with precision and expertise in matters where the human form and its vulnerabilities are central to the legal argument.

;
Experts.com-No broker Movie Ad

Follow us

linkedin logo youtube logo rss feed logo
;