Approach to the Critical Patient

Immediate threats

Primary survey priorities

Airway strategy

Airway planning in facial trauma

Hemorrhage control

Bleeding control priorities

Vision-threatening emergencies

Immediate eye threats

Consult and team activation

Early specialty activation

History

Mechanism and timing

Injury context

Symptoms and red flags

Functional symptoms

Comorbidities and medications

Bleeding risk factors

Infection risk factors

Tetanus immunization status

Physical Exam

Primary maxillofacial exam

Global facial inspection

Palpation and stability

Eye and orbit

Vision screen

Orbital injury signs

Entrapment concern

Oral cavity and occlusion

Occlusion assessment

Mandible function

Neuro and neck

Cranial nerve screen

Cervical spine evaluation

PITFALLS

High-risk misses

Differential Diagnosis

Facial fracture patterns

Common facial fractures

Vision-threatening and neurovascular conditions

Eye emergencies in facial trauma

Skull base injuries

Mimics and associated injuries

Non-fracture conditions

Associated trauma patterns

Laboratory Tests

Hemorrhage and trauma labs

Resuscitation labs

Infection and open fracture considerations

Infection risk assessment labs

Pregnancy testing

Diagnostic Tests

Scoring Systems

Trauma decision frameworks

MRI

MRI roles in facial trauma

CT

CT as primary imaging modality

Ultrasound

Ultrasound adjuncts

Disposition

Level of care and admission criteria

ICU or step-down indications

Operative or urgent specialty management indications

Discharge criteria and follow-up

Discharge appropriateness

Follow-up planning

Treatment

Airway and breathing

Airway management principles

Hemorrhage control and resuscitation

Facial bleeding control

Ocular emergencies

Orbital compartment syndrome management

Globe injury precautions

Fracture-specific management

Nasal fractures

Orbital floor fractures

Zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures

Mandibular fractures

Antibiotics and tetanus

Antibiotic strategy by fracture type

Tetanus prophylaxis

Analgesia and antiemetics

Analgesia ladder

Antiemetic options

Special Populations

Pregnancy

Pregnancy considerations

Geriatric

Older adult considerations

Pediatrics

Pediatric considerations

Background

Epidemiology

Epidemiology overview

Pathophysiology

Structural considerations

Therapeutic Considerations

Treatment principles

Patient Discharge Instructions

copy discharge instructions

Discharge instructions set

References

Clinical guidelines and key sources

Evidence source set

SymptomDx is an educational tool for medical professionals. It does not replace clinical judgment. Verify all clinical data and drug dosages with authoritative sources.