Contributed by: David Ludlow, MD | Otolaryngology, MetroHealth Trauma Care Center
Our faces do more than help us express emotion — they help us eat, breathe, speak and connect with the world. So, when there’s a serious injury to the face — whether from an accident, a fall or a sports injury — it’s important to find the best care available.
The MetroHealth System’s Level I Adult Trauma Center provides the highest level of care to help community members heal from traumatic injuries, including facial trauma, for more than three decades.
“We have an incredible amount of experience dealing with the most serious of cases,” said David Ludlow, MD, an otolaryngologist and facial trauma surgeon at MetroHealth. “MetroHealth’s team of surgeons restore function and give patients the best possible cosmetic appearance. Plus, we have a system in place to support patients after surgery to help them as they recover.”
What Is Facial Trauma?
Facial trauma includes any injury to the face, head or neck, often caused by car accidents, falls, assaults, gunshot wounds or other serious incidents. It can also include complications from cancer surgeries or other medical conditions.
Trauma can affect soft tissue (like skin and muscle), bone structures (such as the jaw, cheekbones, or nose), ears, throat and voice box.
Treatment Options
If you have a severe facial injury, the team of surgeons at MetroHealth will work together to help restore function.
Here are some examples:
- Jaw injuries: If patients fracture parts of the jawbone, it makes it hard to eat. We repair these fractures to get patients back to a normal diet as quickly as possible. With more serious injuries, when parts of the bone are missing, we can rebuild the bone and repair the lining of the mouth.
- Facial fractures: injuries to the face can cause cosmetic deformities, dental changes, difficulty opening the mouth, and facial numbness. We specialize in repairing these fractures to restore cosmetic form and function.
- Nasal fractures: A broken nose can affect breathing, cause chronic nosebleeds, and lead to cosmetic concerns. We repair the nose to restore airflow and appearance.
- Throat injuries: Wounds to the neck can compromise the airway. In these cases, we prioritize stabilizing breathing and restoring the ability to speak and swallow.
- Ear trauma: Fractures near the ear can affect hearing and facial movement. Surgery may be needed to restore hearing and facial balance.
Some patients may need a series of surgeries to gradually restore function and appearance. It all depends on how severe the injury is.
Why Choose MetroHealth?
At MetroHealth, our facial trauma specialists treat the most complex trauma cases. Our team helps restore patients’ ability to breathe, eat and speak normally, improve their appearance and reduce long-term pain and scarring.
We offer:
- A dedicated trauma team of ENT, plastic, and oral surgeons
- Quick access to care through MetroHealth’s Trauma Center
- Follow-up support to help you heal and move forward
If you or a loved one has experienced facial trauma, don’t wait. The sooner we see you, the better the outcome can be. Even if a patient has been seen at a different hospital system, facial trauma specialists at MetroHealth can review your case and offer solutions. You will be seen quickly.
Make An Appointment
Click here to request an appointment with one of our experts across Northeast Ohio or call 216-778-4391 to get started.
