Extreme midface injury and superior maxillary impaction in an adolescent

Abstract

We present a case of an adolescent who sustained multiple facial fractures following a high-speed, head-on skiing collision. The patient presented to a level 1 trauma centre with bilateral LeFort I, LeFort II, naso-orbital ethmoid fractures and superior maxillary displacement to the level of the orbits requiring a staged operative approach to (1) disimpact the maxillary LeFort I segment and (2) reduce and fixate the multilevel facial fractures. The patient was discharged home with close follow-up, and after 1 year, had preservation of appropriate facial proportions without complications. This case study focuses on the triage, management and surgical planning of paediatric midface fractures, which are relatively uncommon to treat. Special considerations for repairing facial fractures in adolescents are discussed.