Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health in Indianapolis is the only pediatric Level 1 trauma center in Indiana. Our plastic surgeons treat all aspects of trauma to the face including fractures of the jaw, nose, cheekbones, eye and skull. We also treat injury to the soft tissue of the face resulting from cuts, dogbites, burns, and car accidents. Children who have persisting facial deformities after facial injury may sometimes benefit from evaluation by our expert team.

Facial trauma involves an injury to the skin or bone of the face and head. These injuries can range from simple cuts to complex fractures of the face depending upon the nature of the accident.

How is Facial Trauma treated?

Depending upon the severity of the injury, facial trauma may require suturing in the emergency department or operative intervention for more complex cases. In cases involving fractures, a CT scan or other X-rays are frequently ordered to establish the extent of the injury. Doctors at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health specialize in the different methods utilized to repair the spectrum of facial injuries.

What special problems are associated with Facial Trauma?

Fractures of the facial bones can result in growth disturbances especially when related to the lower jaw. These growth disturbances may not become apparent until several years after the accident. Complex fractures involving the tissues around the eye can require coordination with a pediatric neurosurgeon.