Facial Trauma

CARE OF SOFT TISSUE INJURIES

Your commitment and special attention are needed for optimal healing of the soft tissue injuries to your face after the careful and skilled treatment you have just undergone. This will limit any complications and ensure the best possible cosmetic and functional result. Please follow your surgeon’s instructions very closely:


Dressing

  • If the wound was covered with a dressing, it should not be removed for the first 24 hours. If it becomes wet or soiled, replace the dressing with a clean sterile pad. After the first 24 hours, the wound can usually be uncovered for the rest of the healing period.


Showering and Bathing

  • You can shower on the second day after surgery. Cover the wound with sterile gauze and remove it after your shower. Avoid taking a bath during the first week as this could contaminate the wound.


Keeping your Wound Clean

  • Gently clean your wound twice a day using hydrogen peroxide diluted with equal amounts of water or sterile saline solution available at the pharmacy.
  • Then apply an antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin, Polysporin or Bacitracin to the wound area.
  • If you have a wound inside your mouth, rinse your mouth 4-6 times a day with warm salt water (1 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water). You may add some peroxide to the water. This is an important step that will make you feel more comfortable and speed up the healing process.


Medication

  • If your surgeon has prescribed antibiotics, pain medication or any other medications it is essential that you take them as recommended for the complete period. Women who are using birth control pills and taking antibiotics, are advised to use an additional method of birth control as antibiotics will lessen the effectiveness of the oral contraceptives.
  • Please call our office at (514) 931-7077 is you think you are experiencing side effects from the medication.

Stitches

  • Your stitches should be removed 5-7 days after your treatment. Our office coordinator will schedule this appointment. The timing of this procedure is very important. In order to avoid possible infection and a compromised result, please be sure to keep your appointment.


Protecting your Wound

  • You should protect your wound from any undue force during the healing process, which takes many months. The tissue is still fragile and can open if pressure is applied to it or if you receive a blow.
  • You should protect the wound from the sun by applying sun screen with an SPF of at least 30 to your face and wearing a hat. Sun exposure can cause a facial scar to darken relative to the surrounding skin.


Other Sensations

  • You may sense that your skin is firmer and slightly numb during the healing process. This will subside over time but in some cases may not feel the same as before your injury.


Please call our office at (514) 931-7077 immediately if:

  • Your wound becomes red or swollen
  • Your wound opens
  • Your wound oozes a creamy substance
  • You have a fever
    These may be signs of infection and must be treated without delay.


Questions

  • If you have any questions or problems, call our office (514) 931-7707 and we will be pleased to help you.
  • In emergency situations, you may reach Dr. Chehade or one of the members of his team directly by calling the office number (514) 931-7707 and following the instructions provided by the answering service.

CARE AFTER JAW FRACTURE

To ensure that your healing process goes well and that you get the best possible result, it is essential that you make the commitment to keep all your appointments with your oral surgeon. At these visits he or she will monitor your progress until the healing process is complete, identifying and treating any problems that might arise. Failure to follow your surgeon’s recommendations can increase your risk of serious complications such as infection, non-union of the fracture, improper bite or nerve damage. These can have a serious impact on your general health, if not dealt with in a timely manner.


Keeping your Mouth Clean

  • It is essential to keep your mouth clean after treatment. If you have had your jaws wired together for 4-6 weeks, frequent cleaning will reduce any gum irritation that the wires may cause. You should begin this process as soon as you return home. Although it may seem uncomfortable at first, with time the process will get easier. The wires should be cleaned thoroughly until they “sparkle”.
  • Brush your teeth 6-8 times a day, after each meal or snack and 3-5 additional times during the day. You can expect that your gums may bleed. You do not have to use toothpaste each time as the brushing action is what is most important.
  • Rinse your mouth 3-4 times daily with warm salt water (1 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water)
  • A Water-pik may help to keep your mouth clean.


Bleeding

  • If you have had some teeth removed, you can expect some bleeding from the extraction site.
  • Avoid spitting the blood out as this can dislodge the clot and promote bleeding.
  • If the bleeding continues for an extended period of time, please contact our office at (514) 931-7011.


Medication

  • Take your antibiotics and pain medication as prescribed. Please follow the instructions given on the bottle carefully. Women who are using birth control pills and taking antibiotics are advised to use an additional method of birth control as antibiotics will lessen the effectiveness of the oral contraceptives. Start you pain medication as soon as you return home before the freezing completely wears off.
  • Some pain medication will make your feel sleepy, so it is advised that you do not drive or operate machinery.

Nutrition

  • You must pay special attention to getting adequate nutrition, since you will not able to chew solid foods for a period of 4-6 weeks and often up to 8 weeks. This is necessary to allow the bone cuts to heal completely before any undue pressure is applied to the teeth and transmitted to the jaws. After you receive treatment for your injuries, you will be given a liquid diet. For the first two days this should be restricted to clear fluids such as water and juices, but by the third day more substantial liquids that can be prepared in a blender can be added to your diet. Try to vary your diet to make it more interesting. Your choice of foods can include:
    • Water, juices, soft drink, sport drinks
    • Milkshakes, Carnation instant breakfast, yogurt drinks, ice cream and milk
    • Protein drinks and supplements (Ensure, Boost or pre-mixed protein drinks)
    • Soups, consommé, custard, pudding, Jell-O.


Alcohol

  • Do not drink any alcoholic beverages during the time your jaws are wired together.


Nausea

  • It is not unusual to experience nausea or vomiting. It is sometimes caused by strong pain medications you were given. Do not be alarmed.
  • It the nausea persists, call our office at (514) 931-7077. Your surgeon may prescribe an anti-nausea medication.


Activity

  • You should not take part in vigorous activity and swimming to avoid strain on you fixation wires.
  • You may have some difficulty breathing so it is advised during this period to use a decongestant nasal spray, available at the pharmacy and carry it with you at all times. You should use the spray only when needed.


Questions

  • If you have any questions or problems, call our office (514) 931-7707 and we will be pleased to help you.
  • In emergency situations, you may reach Dr. Chehade or one of the members of his team directly by calling the office number (514) 931-7707 and following the instructions provided by the answering service.