Secondary Correction of Posttraumatic Craniofacial Deformities

Despite advances in the acute management of craniofacial fractures, some patients will present with secondary deformities. In an attempt to formulate treatment guidelines, we present a review of 152 cases of posttraumatic craniofacial deformities treated by us using different surgical techniques. Analysis of the underlying bony and soft tissue deficits was followed by stepwise reassembly of the skeletal fragments and re-establishment of facial contour and symmetry. The postoperative outcomes were evaluated in terms of aesthetic and functional parameters. Though all patients had considerable improvement after secondary correction of these deformities, soft tissue deficits and time elapsed till secondary reconstruction remain the major factors in achieving an ideal aesthetic outcome.