Penetrating stab wound injuries to the face.

Penetrating knife blade injuries to the maxillofacial region are quite rare, with retained knife blades even rarer. Associated vascular, ocular, ductal, neurosurgical injuries should be identified and treated accordingly. Appropriate special investigations included plain radiographs and angiograms, which were used in establishing the proximity of the foreign object to the arterial supply to the head and neck. The impacted blade should be removed in theatre. Ten patients with this injury are discussed.