Skip to main content

Repairing Complex Facial Injuries

Reconstructive surgery is an important treatment that improves both how your face looks and works after a traumatic accident or illness. Patients may need reconstructive surgery for a variety of reasons. Patients who have suffered from one of the following may want to consider facial reconstructive surgery:

  • Accident
  • Infection
  • Disease
  • Cancer
  • Trauma
  • Other conditions

We understand that the decision to have reconstructive surgery is a very personal one. Our reconstructive surgeons have specialized training to help you regain what you have lost. We will also help you develop a customized treatment plan to fit your needs.

Other Reconstruction Procedures

Fracture Reconstruction

Plastic surgeons manage and repair complex facial injuries, which often includes repairing facial fractures. Common causes of facial fractures include:

  • car and motorcycle accidents,
  • assaults,
  • recreational activities (skiing, skateboarding), and
  • other injuries.

Complex facial fractures can sometimes be linked to other injuries as well. For this reason, it’s important to have treatment at a hospital that specializes in caring for traumatic injuries. Getting treatment at a specialized hospital is often the best way to manage fractures in the face. 

Traumatic injuries and fractures in the face can also create functional problems. This means these injuries can damage how your face works. If left untreated, facial fractures may cause:

  • double vision,
  • nasal airway obstruction,
  • difficulty chewing, and
  • teeth that don't align properly.

Plastic surgeons are experts at evaluating and treating complex facial injuries to repair both how the face looks and how it works. To fix facial fractures, plastic surgeons must make incisions (cuts) so any injured bones inside your face can heal.

Our surgeons use special cosmetic surgery techniques to minimize any scarring from the incisions.  Some surgeons use small titanium or steel plates and screws as well as wires to stabilize your bones during the healing process.

Head & Neck Reconstruction

Injuries to your head and neck can be discouraging, especially if other people can see them. Often, patients who have experienced infections, tumors, diseases, or differences present since birth (congenital abnormalities/birth defects) may want to consider reconstruction.

Plastic surgeons can perform reconstructive procedures on the head and neck including the following:

  • Tumor removal & reconstruction—Cutting out (extirpation) of tumors. After this surgery or surgeries, many patients may decide to go through reconstructive procedures to rebuild the area where their tumor was removed. Rebuilding the area where your tumor was removed can improve both how your head and neck look and function. If you choose reconstructive surgery, your specialist will help you decide what the best treatment and reconstructive processes are for you.
  • Septoplasty (nose surgery)
  • Skin malignancies

Mohs Reconstruction After Skin Cancer 

Our plastic and reconstruction surgery specialists are experts at reconstructing skin tissue after Mohs surgery. Mohs surgery is a state-of-the-art procedure that removes cancerous cells by removing thin layers of skin one layer at a time. Dermatologists remove these cancerous cells.

After Mohs surgery, some patients may need reconstructive surgery to give their skin a more natural appearance where the cancerous cells were removed. Our plastic and reconstructive surgeons are experienced with this type of reconstructive surgery.

Scar Treatment  

A scar is your body's natural way of healing and replacing lost or damaged skin. Scars are usually filled with fibrous tissue and may form for many different reasons, such as a result of infections, surgery, injuries, or inflamed tissue.

Scars may appear anywhere on your body, but having a scar on your face can often negatively impact your self-image. A facial reconstructive surgeon can help reduce how noticeable your facial scar is.

Soft Tissue Trauma: Damage to Your Muscles, Ligaments, & Tendons

Soft tissue trauma is when your muscles, ligaments, or tendons become damaged. If you have soft tissue trauma on your face, these muscles, ligaments, or tendons in your face may not work how they should. Scarring or deformities may also lower your confidence and self-esteem.

Our plastic surgeons can help reconstruct damaged soft tissues so your muscles, ligaments, and tendons work correctly. Our surgeons will work with you to give your face a more normal appearance and help you on the road to recovery.

Find a Plastic Surgeon Near You