ABSTRACT
Facial injuries are commonly seen in the hospital setting and are caused by interpersonal violence, road traffic accidents, falls, industrial accidents and in sports. Identify any bleeding from the oral cavity or dental fragments, which can obstruct the airway. Head injuries can also impair the level of consciousness and tongue position. Auscultation of the lungs as well as percussion should be performed in the acute setting. Inhalation of foreign bodies may compromise breathing causing stridor or stertor. Retrobulbar haemorrhage may cause orbital compartment syndrome. Airway compromise can occur due to haemorrhage, oedema and foreign bodies in addition to direct trauma. The lateral cantholysis is vision-saving and should be considered routinely in high-energy mechanisms in cases of marked soft tissue swelling, globe proptosis, ophthalmoplegia, significant orbital pain and loss of vision.
