Cosmetic Outcome of Maxillo-Facial Lacerations and Fracture Management, A Comparative Analysis

Objectives:
One of the most important goals of managing facial lacerations is to achieve an optimal cosmetic outcome because the primary concern of the patient is mainly the appearance of the scar. The aim of this study was to compare the cosmetic outcome of Maxillofacial through and through lacerations and fracture management in emergency versus elective setting.
Methods:
A total of 128 cases were randomly selected to be treated in emergency setting (Group A, 64) or elective setting (Group B, 64). The wound was evaluated after 6 months by a blinded observer, who was asked to rate them according to Visual Analogue Scale and Wound Evaluation Scale.
Results:
In both groups, 76.6% patients were males and 23.4% were females. Road Traffic Accident was the most common etiology in groups A 51.5% and B 32.81%. Cheek was the most common location of laceration in both groups A 39.1% and B 26.6%. Majority of the patients in both groups belonged to lower socio economical background. In group B, 56.3% wounds were contaminated and 43.8% were clean contaminated, while in group A, 75% patients had contaminated wounds. In both groups the average length of lacerations ranged from 4-6cm.
Visual Analogue Scale showed that 54.7% cases had good outcome in Group A as compared to 18.8% of group B. Wound Evaluation Scale demonstrated that group A possessed a higher cosmetic outcome of 48.4% whereas 14.1% was observed in group B.
Conclusions:
Patients treated under emergency setting had a higher cosmetic outcome in comparison to those who were treated under elective setting, therefore, it is recommended that Maxillofacial through and through lacerations and fractures should be managed immediately which will result in better healing and good cosmetic outcome.