How do you fix a Le Fort fracture?

Treatment of a Le Fort fracture usually requires prompt stabilization of the fracture followed by surgery, in order to restore the typical facial orientation, re-establish proper positioning of the teeth, restore involved sinus cavities, and reunify the nose and eye socket.

Can you intubate a patient with facial trauma?

In some patients preoxygenation is unfeasible due to the maxillofacial trauma itself, and hypoxemia is to be expected. Endotracheal intubation is the gold standard procedure to secure the airway in trauma patients.

How do you assess Le Fort fracture?

Mobility of the midface may be tested by grasping the anterior alveolar arch and pulling forward while stabilizing the patient with the other hand. The level of a Le Fort fracture (ie, I, II, III) can often be determined by noting the structures of the midface that move in conjunction with the anterior maxilla.

What is Le Fort classification?

The commonly used classification is as follows: Le Fort type I. horizontal maxillary fracture, separating the teeth from the upper face. fracture line passes through the alveolar ridge, lateral nose and inferior wall of the maxillary sinus. also known as a Guerin fracture.

What causes a Le Fort fracture?

Le Fort fractures account for 10-20% of all facial fractures. They result from exposure to a considerable amount of force. Motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) are the predominant cause; other causes include assaults and falls.

What is a Le Fort 1 fracture?

Le Fort I level fractures are essentially a separation of the hard palate from the upper maxilla due to a transverse fracture running through the maxilla and pterygoid plates at a level just above the floor of the nose.

What are the side effects of being intubated?

Potential side effects and complications of intubation include:

• damage to the vocal cords.
• bleeding.
• infection.
• tearing or puncturing of tissue in the chest cavity that can lead to lung collapse.
• injury to throat or trachea.
• damage to dental work or injury to teeth.
• fluid buildup.
• aspiration.

What procedures can be used to restore a patient’s airway in an emergency situation?

Why the Procedure is Performed A needle cricothyrotomy is an emergency procedure to relieve an airway obstruction until surgery can be done to place a breathing tube (tracheostomy). If the airway blockage occurs with trauma to the head, neck, or spine, care must be taken to avoid further injury to the person.

What bones are included in a Le Fort III fracture?

Le Fort III fracture (transverse), otherwise known as craniofacial dissociation, may follow impact to the nasal bridge or upper maxilla. The salient feature of these fractures, beyond pterygoid plate involvement, is that they invariably involve the zygomatic arch, or cheek bone.

Is nasal bone fracture an emergency?

Although treatment of an uncomplicated fracture of nasal bones is not urgent—a referral for specific treatment in five to seven days usually suffices—an associated injury, nasal septal hematoma, occurs in about 5% of cases and does require urgent treatment and should be looked for during the assessment of nasal …

What causes an airway obstruction in a Le Fort fracture?

The mechanism of airway obstruction in Le Fort fractures is attributed to midface instability with posterior inferior displacement into the oropharyngeal airway. Otolaryngologists often participate in the evaluation and management of such patients, securing the airway, if necessary.

What to do with a Le Fort fracture?

CT is the most specific and sensitive test for Le Fort fracture diagnosis Protect the airway and control any hemorrhage It is important to stabilize any serious injuries to airway, spine, chest, abdomen and skull prior to definitive treatment of facial bones Admit, consult for operative repair, +/- antibiotics for definitive management

How is tracheal intubation used in Le Fort III fracture?

Patients with Le Fort III fracture present a specific challenge to the anesthesiologist. The standard oral route for tracheal intubation may not be possible because of the limiting mouth opening in cases with postero-inferior displacement of the fractured maxilla and bilateral fracture of the anterior mandible.[1] The nasal route may be used;

Who is responsible for securing the airway in a fracture?

Otolaryngologists often participate in the evaluation and management of such patients, securing the airway, if necessary. It is important, therefore, to understand the mechanisms responsible for acute airway obstruction in these types of fractures.