Maxillofacial Trauma involves soft and hard tissue injuries of the face extending from the frontal bone superiorly to the mandible inferiorly and varies from soft tissue lacerations to complex fractures of the maxillofacial skeleton. The patterns of these injuries depend on the mechanism of injury, magnitude and direction of impact force and anatomical site. The etiology of maxillofacial fractures has changed over the past few decades and continues to do so. The main causes in India are usually RTAs, physical assaults, and injuries from fall and sports. Various complications occur when a maxillofacial fracture is malunited or improperly resolved. Malocclusion is the most common complication, followed by facial deformity, temporomandibular joint disorder, and neurological symptoms.
Maxillofacial injuries are also one of the many challenges faced by patients with multiple injuries (polytrauma patients). Severe injuries could complicate early treatment with the region being close to the brain, cervical spine, and airway. However, maxillofacial trauma management has evolved significantly over the last few decades, thereby reducing mortality during the golden hour.