Surgical correction of late sequelae from facial bone fractures.

This study has described the UCLA experience over a 5 year period in the treatment of secondary traumatic deformities utilizing the craniofacial techniques originally proposed by Tessier. Because of scarring, absent parts, and the malposition of segments, correction of long-standing traumatic deformities remains difficult and treatment results remain less than ideal. Primary correction utilizing the principles we have described herein still provides the best functional and aesthetic results. Facial fractures can no longer be considered as an independent and unrelated entity when dealing with the traumatized patient. If primary reconstruction continues to be compromised, correction of residual disfigurement will result in unnecessary patient morbidity and disturbances of facial form and function.