Life-threatening bleeding following maxillofacial trauma.

Life-threatening bleeding associated with facial trauma is considered rare, and most references on this subject do not recommend a precise treatment plan. The purpose of the present study is to review the origin of bleeding and various treatment methods, and to formulate a plan of management for these patients, emphasizing the role of the maxillofacial surgeon in the immediate intervention to control the bleeding. 222 patients with midface fractures were treated between 1985 to 1990. 10 of them had severe and life-threatening bleeding on admission. Bleeding was controlled by nasal packing (9 patients) combined with temporary fracture reduction (7 patients).