Background: Approximately one quarter of polytrauma patients has facial injuries, which usually lead to loss of form and function. Several specialties are involved in the acute and reconstructive phases of facial injuries, such as oral and maxillofacial surgery, otorhinolaryngology, plastic surgery, ophthalmology and dentistry.
Case description: A 25-year-old man with severe facial injuries was brought to the shock room after sustaining high-energy trauma. He had a panfacial fracture that required reconstruction. This was done with two surgeries, with an interval of 4 days. The patient recovered successfully after this.
Conclusion: Because of the complexity of facial trauma, many factors are involved in acute care and treatment. It is therefore important to designate one coordinating specialty to guide this process. The oral and maxillofacial surgeon plays a vital role in this.