We do see a lot of facial trauma at MMH...so its essential to have a robust system of assessment and evaluation. We don't want to miss occult injuries...especially if patients are being admitted under other surgical specialities.
It is essential to develop your OWN approach that you are comfortable with...
Here is a VERY comprehensive checklist (which I am sure we can condense down into something more manageable)
Dental Blocks
These can be utilised for either trauma or just really really sore teeth...at 2.45am...your patient will love you if you get this one right
Here is a step by step approach to an inferior alveolar block featuring a few local celebrities...
Remember the anterior superior alveolar and infraorbital blocks can be very useful as well
Lateral Canthotomy
This is a potentially sight-saving procedure...and should be performed prior to a CT if there is significant concerns regarding developing optic nerve compromise.
http://www.epmonthly.com/departments/clinical-skills/visual-dx/under-pressure/
Here's the procedure (complete with sultry guitar riffs)
A rare eye saving procedure (lateral canthotomy) is started by an emergency medicine resident and attending physician and the ophthalmology team finishes by performing the other components of the procedure, upper and lower lateral cantholysis. Together they successfully prevent an elderly gentleman with a retrobulbar hematoma from losing complete vision in his right eye.