Updates in Management of Craniomaxillofacial Gunshot Wounds and Reconstruction of the Mandible.

This article includes updates in the management of mandibular trauma and reconstruction as they relate to maxillomandibular fixation screws, custom hardware, virtual surgical planning, and protocols for use of computer-aided surgery and navigation when managing composite defects from gunshot injuries to the face.

Effectiveness of Prophylactic Preoperative Antibiotics in Mandible Fracture Repair: A National Database Study.

OBJECTIVE: This is the first database study to assess the effectiveness of prophylactic preoperative antibiotics (PPAs) in mandible fracture repair. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. SETTING: Database study using US inpatient and outpatient insurance claims submitted from July 2006 to March 2015. METHODS: The IBM MarketScan Commercial Database was queried for adults aged 18 to 64 years who had undergone first-time mandible fracture repair according to Current Procedural Terminology codes for open and closed repair. Primary outcomes included surgical revision, local infection, and osteomyelitis. Rates were compared between cohorts based on whether or not patients had filled antibiotic prescriptions during the preoperative period alone. The effects of drug abuse and type of mandible repair (open vs closed) were explored. Multivariate Poisson regression models were used to calculate adjusted relative risk estimates, and 95% CIs were used to determine statistically significant differences. RESULTS: A total of 2676 patients were included, with 847 (31.7%) filling PPAs and 1829 (68.3%) filling no antibiotics. Rates were 38.9% for revision, 5.8% for local infection, and 2.1% for osteomyelitis. After multivariate analysis, exposure to PPAs was not associated with surgical revision (adjusted relative risk, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.94-1.15), local infection (1.16; 0.82-1.64), or osteomyelitis (1.21; 0.68-2.14). Patients were more likely to fill PPAs if they underwent open repair (35.3%) versus closed (26.6%) (proportion difference, 8.7%; 95% CI, 5.2%-12.2%), but exposure to antibiotics did not predict outcomes on subgroup analysis. CONCLUSION: PPAs do not improve mandible repair outcomes, regardless of repair type.

Cancellous Tibial Bone Graft for Malunion after Mandibular Reconstruction in Head and Neck Cancer.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: While nonunion after mandibular reconstruction for head and neck surgery is rare, literature exploring management is scarce. Our primary objective was to determine success rates of tibial bone graft (TBG) in achieving mandibular union. Secondary objectives include determining factors that contribute to failure of TBG. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective Chart Review. METHODS: Retrospective chart review between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2018. Patients who underwent a mandibulotomy or mandibulectomy with osteocutaneous free flap reconstruction were identified. Patients who were pursuing dental rehabilitation, subsequently diagnosed with mandibular nonunion and received a cancellous TBG were assessed. RESULTS: The 15 patients meeting inclusion criteria were mostly male (67%), white (87%), and nonsmokers (67%) with a median age of 64 (IQR = 60-73). Successful union occurred in 13 of 18 (72%) TBGs and the majority (63%) had a partial union documented at the time of surgery. Five patients (83%) who initially had a mandibulotomy achieved union compared to 78% of those with osteocutaneous reconstruction (P = 1.0). Postoperative radiation did not affect rates of union: 80% for both (P = 1.0). Patients with osteoradionecrosis (ORN) achieved union in 67% of cases compared to 75% of cases who did not have ORN (P = .86). There were similar rates of union for those who required perioperative antibiotics for infection and those without infection (67% vs. 75%, P = .86). Dental rehabilitation was achieved in 55% of patients, most commonly dentures. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that TBG can be used to achieve union for patients with malunion after head and neck cancer reconstruction. We show its successful use within the reconstructive algorithm for patients regardless of postoperative radiation for very small defects. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 131:1291-1296, 2021.

Reconstruction Of Segmental Mandibular Loss With Vascularized Free Fibula Flapsn.

BACKGROUND: Various methods for mandibular reconstruction have been demonstrated in literature from autogenous bone graft to free flaps and more recently tissue engineered materials. We share our experience of mandibular reconstruction with free fibular flap and evaluate its efficiency as a viable option for mandibular reconstruction. METHODS: It was a cross-sectional study, conducted at Plastic surgery department combined military hospital, Rawalpindi. Study was carried out over a period of two years from November 2016 to November 2018. The data of demography, mode of presentation, pattern of reconstruction and procedural complications of the patients who underwent free fibula flap for segmental mandibular loss, were collected and analysed. Patients with segmental loss of mandible ranging from 6 to 15 cm and those who could sustain surgery were included in the study, while the patients with metastatic malignancy and recurrent disease were excluded from the study. Each patient was called for first follow up after 2 weeks then subsequent follow up after 1 month. Descriptive statistics were done with the help of SPSS-20. RESULTS: A total of 57 patients with segmental mandibular loss treated with free fibula flap, fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in this study. Thirtyeight patients were male while 19 were female with mean age 56±3 years. Cause of mandibular loss was malignancy in 52 (91.2%), trauma in 3 (5.2%), and ameloblastoma in 2 (3.5%) patients. Major complications like flap failure was seen in one (1.75%), bone exposure in 1 (1.75%) and recurrence was observed in 1 (1.75%) patient. Minor complications like hematoma, wound dehiscence and oro-cutaneous fistula were seen in 2, 1 and 3 patients respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Free fibular flap shows good functional results with a high degree of consistency, and acceptable complications rate, so it should be the first choice for mandibular reconstruction.

Design and Fabrication of Implants for Mandibular and Craniofacial Defects Using Different Medical-Additive Manufacturing Technologies: A Review.

Mandibular and craniofacial bone defects can be caused by trauma, inflammatory disease, and benign or malignant tumors. Patients with bone defects suffer from problems with aesthetics, speech, and mastication, resulting in the need for implants. Conventional methods do not always provide satisfactory results. Most of the techniques proposed by researchers in the field of biomedical engineering use reverse engineering, computer-aided design (CAD), and additive manufacturing (AM), whose implementation can improve the outcomes of reconstructive surgeries. Several literature reviews on this particular topic have been conducted. However, they provide mostly overviews of AM technologies for general biomedical devices. This paper summarizes the use of existing medical AM techniques for the design and fabrication of mandibular and craniofacial implants, and then discusses their advantages and disadvantages in terms of accuracy, costs, energy consumption, and production rate. The aim of this study is to present a comparative review of the most commonly used AM technologies to aid researchers in selecting the best possible AM technologies for medical use. Studies included in this review contain CAD designs of mandibular or cranial implants, as well as their fabrication using AM technologies. Special attention is paid to PolyJet technology, because of its high accuracy, and economical efficiency.

Histological comparison of three apatitic bone substitutes with different carbonate contents in alveolar bone defects in a beagle mandible with simultaneous implant installation.

Since bone apatite is a carbonate apatite containing carbonate in an apatitic structure, carbonate content may be one of the factors governing the osteoconductivity of apatitic bone substitutes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of carbonate content on the osteoconductivity of apatitic bone substitutes using three commercially available bone substitutes for the reconstruction of alveolar bone defects of a beagle mandible with simultaneous dental implant installation. NEOBONE, Bio-Oss, and Cytrans that contain 0.1, 5.5, and 12.0 mass% of carbonate, respectively, were used in this study. The amount of newly formed bone in the upper portion of the alveolar bone defect of the beagle's mandible was 0.7, 6.6, and 39.4% at 4 weeks after surgery and 4.7, 39.5, and 75.2% at 12 weeks after surgery for NEOBONE, Bio-Oss, and Cytrans, respectively. The results indicate that bone-to-implant contact ratio was the largest for Cytrans. Additionally, the continuity of the alveolar ridge was restored in the case of Cytrans, whereas the continuity of the alveolar ridge was not sufficient when using NEOBONE and Bio-Oss. Both Cytrans and Bio-Oss that have a relatively larger carbonate content in their apatitic structure was resorbed with time. We concluded that carbonate content is one of important factors governing the osteoconductivity of apatitic bone substitutes.

Advanced biomaterials for repairing and reconstruction of mandibular defects.

Mandibles are the largest and strongest bone in the human face and are often severely compromised by mandibular defects, compromising the quality of life of patients. Mandibular defects may result from trauma, inflammatory disease and benign or malignant tumours. The reconstruction of mandibular defect has been a research hotspot in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Although the principles and techniques of mandibular reconstruction have made great progress in recent years, the development of biomedical materials is still facing technical bottleneck, and new materials directly affect technological breakthroughs in this field. This paper reviews the current status of research and application of various biomaterials in mandibular defects and systematically elaborates different allogeneic biomaterial-based approaches. It is expected that various biomaterials, in combination with new technologies such as digital navigation and 3D printing, could be tuned to build new types of scaffold with more precise structure and components, addressing needs of surgery and post-reconstruction. With the illustration and systematization of different solutions, aims to inspire the development of reconstruction biomaterials.

Use of Porous Implants for the Prosthetic Rehabilitation of Fibula Free Flap Reconstructed Patients.

Vascularized free flaps represent today the gold standard in Maxillo-Facial reconstructive treatment of the upper and lower compromised maxillas.The aim of this study is to perform the advantages and disadvantages of the vascularized fibula free flap and the available rehabilitation options with porous implants.In this study the authors analyzed 45 patients with 211 inserted implants treated and reconstructed with vascularized fibula flaps. The authors compared the use of 103 titanium tapered implants (with micro rough surface) versus 108 tantalum-titanium porous implants to evaluate the bone reabsorption and implant survival. Immediate implant stability, the peri-implant reabsorption, and the survival were evaluated. The follow-up was after 3, 6, 12, and 24 months.The authors found that for the 108 Zimmer TM they had an average bone loss of 1 mm ± 0.2 mm after 1 year of follow-up, compared with the other implants where the average bone loss was 2.27 mm ± 0.4.This study demonstrated that the problems caused by different fibula flaps level, compared with the mandibula or, with adjacent teeth in the maxilla, can be solved using TM porous implants that almost duplicate the fixture surface and guarantees long life prognosis to the authors' prosthetic devices.

Dipyridamole Augments Three-Dimensionally Printed Bioactive Ceramic Scaffolds to Regenerate Craniofacial Bone.

BACKGROUND: Autologous bone grafts remain a standard of care for the reconstruction of large bony defects, but limitations persist. The authors explored the bone regenerative capacity of customized, three-dimensionally printed bioactive ceramic scaffolds with dipyridamole, an adenosine A2A receptor indirect agonist known to enhance bone formation. METHODS: Critical-size bony defects (10-mm height, 10-mm length, full-thickness) were created at the mandibular rami of rabbits (n = 15). Defects were replaced by a custom-to-defect, three-dimensionally printed bioactive ceramic scaffold composed of ß-tricalcium phosphate. Scaffolds were uncoated (control), collagen-coated, or immersed in 100 µM dipyridamole. At 8 weeks, animals were euthanized and the rami retrieved. Bone growth was assessed exclusively within scaffold pores, and evaluated by micro-computed tomography/advanced reconstruction software. Micro-computed tomographic quantification was calculated. Nondecalcified histology was performed. A general linear mixed model was performed to compare group means and 95 percent confidence intervals. RESULTS: Qualitative analysis did not show an inflammatory response. The control and collagen groups (12.3 ± 8.3 percent and 6.9 ± 8.3 percent bone occupancy of free space, respectively) had less bone growth, whereas the most bone growth was in the dipyridamole group (26.9 ± 10.7 percent); the difference was statistically significant (dipyridamole versus control, p < 0.03; dipyridamole versus collagen, p < 0.01 ). There was significantly more residual scaffold material for the collagen group relative to the dipyridamole group (p < 0.015), whereas the control group presented intermediate values (nonsignificant relative to both collagen and dipyridamole). Highly cellular and vascularized intramembranous-like bone healing was observed in all groups. CONCLUSION: Dipyridamole significantly increased the three-dimensionally printed bioactive ceramic scaffold's ability to regenerate bone in a thin bone defect environment.

Utilization of Intermaxilar Fixation Screws as Anchors in the Treatment of the Mandible Recurrent Dislocation.

PROPOSE: This paper aims to describe a modification of the Wolford technique by replacing the Mitek anchors with bone screws. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Two intermaxillary fixation screws locking screws, with 2.0 mm in diameter and 8 mm in length, are used in each temporomandibular joint, one of which is fixed to the root of the zygomatic arch and another to the lateral pole of the mandibular condyle. Ethibond 2-0 thread is passed through the holes in the 2 ipsilateral screws, thus acting as an artificial ligament limiting the range of the mouth opening. CONCLUSION: The technique described was effective in preventing mandibular dislocation while allowing satisfactory mouth opening range. This technique has easy handling and low cost.

Comparison of compression screws used for mandible head fracture treatment-experimental study.

OBJECTIVES: Compression screws that can fix a fracture of the condylar head of the mandible are available. Although typical titanium lag screws are generally used, a series of headless screws have been designed for this purpose. The "headless" advantage derived from the complete submergence of the screw in the bone after fixation is the lack of irritation of the lateral ligament of the temporo-mandibular joint by the screw head. The aim of this study is to compare the compression force of typically used lag screws with that of newly developed headless compression screws. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study tested five types of screws with a 14-mm length: 10 2.0-mm lag screws and 40 headless screws (four groups of equal size: 1.5-mm H screws, 1.8-mm H screws, 2.0-mm H screws, and 1.8-mm W screws). Two cuboid blocks of standardized polyurethane foam were fixed by one screw. The maximal compression force (F in N) and torque at maximal compression force (T in Ncm) were tested according to the guidelines of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM F1839-08). RESULTS: The test results were as follows: 2.0-mm lag screw: F = 211.5 ± 20.7 and T = 21.1 ± 1.6; 1.5-mm H screw: F = 47.2 ± 5.6 and T = 18.2 ± 1.1; 1.8-mm H screw: F = 95.5 ± 9.8 and T = 18.2 ± 1.1; 2.0-mm H screw: F = 145.1 ± 18.4 and T = 25.5 ± 1.5; and 1.8-mm W screw: F = 180.5 ± 8.7 and T = 26.4 ± 2.8. Each type of screw significantly differed from one another as far as compression forces (F) were considered (p < 0.05): the best is the lag screw contrary to the thinnest H screw which is the worst one. For all tested screws, the compression force depended on the torque (S curve relationship was revealed, p < 0.05) and screw diameter (a larger diameter yielded greater compression, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The 8-mm headless screws featured only a small loss of compression ability compared to the titanium lag screws. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Headless screws are mechanically attractive fixation materials for condylar head fracture treatment.

Traumatic dislocation of the mandibular condyle into the middle cranial fossa treated by an intraoral approach.

Dislocation of the mandibular condyle is one of several consequences of facial trauma that can be anticipated. The condylar neck is inherently weak and likely to fracture at the time of impact before dislocating into the middle cranial fossa. A review of the literature revealed that most cases of dislocation of the mandibular condyle into the middle cranial fossa are treated by open reduction and internal fixation via an extraoral approach or are treated conservatively with closed reduction. An intraoral approach is rare. Here we present a patient with traumatic dislocation of the mandibular condyle into the middle cranial fossa who was treated successfully by condylectomy and coronoidectomy through an intraoral approach and intermaxillary fixation followed by mouth-opening exercises and rehabilitation. Stable occlusion and movement of the mandible was achieved and the long-term results have been good. The intraoral approach may be an option in patients with traumatic dislocation of the mandibular condyle into the middle cranial fossa.

The Fate of the Mandibular Reconstruction Plate.

To preserve the continuity of the mandible after resection or traumatic bone loss, the defect is usually reconstructed with a bone graft fixed by a reconstruction plate. The fate of these plates is the objective of this study. Twenty-three patients (4 females and 19 males) required a reconstructive procedure to restore the discontinuity defect in the mandible by a mandibular reconstruction plate. Postoperative follow-up was performed to assess the outcomes of these plates. The mean age of the patients was 28.22 years. The most common cause of the discontinuity defect was bullet injury. The mean follow-up period was 3.65 years. The most common postoperative complication was the surgical site infection. The reconstruction plate of the mandible is associated with long-term success and body acceptance in the hands of an experienced surgeon.

Clinical Comparison of Scapular, Fibular, and Iliac Crest Osseal Free Flaps in Maxillofacial Reconstructions.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS:: This study compared the three most used composite flaps in maxillofacial reconstructions in our institute. PATIENTS AND METHODS:: Between 2000 and 2012, a total of 163 patients with mandibular, maxillary, and orbital defects received either scapular, fibular, or iliac crest osseal reconstructions in Helsinki University Hospital, Departments of Plastic Surgery and Maxillofacial Surgery. Data regarding the patient demographics, complications, and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS:: There were 92 deep circumflex iliac artery flaps (56%), followed by 42 scapular (26%) and 29 fibular flaps (18%). The rate of flap loss was the highest in the deep circumflex iliac artery group (p = 0.001). Reconstructions using fibula were fastest (p = 0.001) and had lowest perioperative blood loss (p = 0.013). There were no significant differences in the number of early or late complications between the flaps, but donor site complications were more severe in deep circumflex iliac artery. Osteotomies as well as dental implants were safely performed in all flaps with equal results. CONCLUSION:: All three flaps of this study can be performed with awareness of the deep circumflex iliac artery flap being the least reliable alternative. The knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of several osseal-free flap alternatives is beneficial in selecting the best suitable method for each individual patient requiring maxillofacial osseal reconstruction.

Quiste dentígero en tercer molar mandibular en posición invertida / Dentigerous cyst in an inverted mandibular third molar

Introducción: la erupción es un proceso complejo y, debido a esto pueden aparecer fallas en él. Objetivo: presentar un caso clínico de un quiste dentígero en un tercer molar mandibular invertido. Caso clínico: paciente masculino de 36 años de edad, quien refiere haber asistido a una clínica estomatológica por molestias en la región mandibular derecha y que al realizársele una ortopantomografía, se detecta la presencia del 48 retenido, por lo que es remitido. Al examen físico bucal se detecta ausencia clínica del 48 con expansión de la tabla vertibular en la zona. Al observarse la ortopantomografía se aprecia en la zona de molares derechos reabsorción radicular en el 47, con 48 en posición invertida y una imagen radiolúcida de límites bien definidos en relación con la corona del 48. Se realiza, bajo anestesia local, la exéresis del 47, 48 y la lesión responsable de la imagen radiolúcida mandibular mediante curetaje. Se indica el estudio histopatológico de la lesión, que indica la presencia de un quiste dentígero. El paciente mostró buena evolución posoperatoria. Conclusiones: lo inusual de la presencia de un quiste dentígero, como complicación de la retención dentaria, en un tercer molar mandibular invertido, permitió valerse de los beneficios de estudios imaginológicos digitales y del método clínico para crear un plan de tratamiento que desencadenó en la exéresis exitosa, sin complicaciones transoperatorias, de los dientes y la lesión asociada(AU)

Introduction: tooth eruption is a complex process and due to this complexity flaws may appear in it. Objective: present a clinical case of a dentigerous cyst in an inverted mandibular third molar. Clinical case: a male 36-year-old patient reports having visited a dental clinic for discomfort in the right mandibular region. Orthopantomography was indicated which revealed that tooth 48 was retained; the patient was therefore referred. Clinical oral examination detected the absence of tooth 48 and an expanded vestibular table in the area. The orthopantomograph showed root resorption of tooth 47 in the area of the right molars, with 48 in an inverted position and a radiolucent image of clear-cut boundaries in relation to the crown of 48. Exeresis of 47 and 48 was performed under local anesthesia, and the lesion responsible for the mandibular radiolucent image was removed by curettage. Histopathological examination of the lesion was indicated, revealing the presence of a dentigerous cyst. Postoperative evolution was satisfactory. Conclusions: the infrequent presence of a dentigerous cyst as a complication of dental retention in an inverted mandibular third molar prompted the use of the benefits offered by digital imaging studies and the clinical method to develop a treatment plan leading to successful exeresis of the teeth involved and the associated lesion, without any perioperative complications(AU)

Tumor odontogénico adenomatoide extrafolicular de localización mandibular / Mandibular extrafollicular adenomatoid odontogenic tumor

Introducción: el tumor odontogénico adenomatoide es un tumor odontogénico benigno compuesto por epitelio odontogénico con estroma fibroso maduro sin participación del ectomesénquima. Representa entre el 2 por ciento y el 7 por ciento de estos tumores. Más del 90 por ciento aparecen antes de los 30 años con tres variantes clínicas: folicular, extrafolicular y periférica. Su aspecto clínico-radiográfico varía y puede ser confundido con otras lesiones quísticas o neoplásicas de la cavidad bucal, por lo que es necesario el diagnóstico anatomopatológico. Objetivo: presentar un caso de un tumor odontogénico adenomatoide extrafolicular mandibular. Presentación del caso: paciente femenina de 12 años de edad, con aumento de volumen asintomático en la encía mandibular del lado izquierdo, sin antecedentes patológicos de interés, de tiempo de evolución no precisado. Al examen físico se observó aumento de volumen de forma redondeada de 1,5 cm que desplazaba la encía mandibular izquierda entre incisivo lateral y canino. La radiografía reveló una lesión radiolúcida unilocular entre 42 y 43 que expandía la cortical ósea. Se detectó ausencia de vitalidad pulpar de estos dientes. Con el diagnóstico clínico de quiste periapical se realizó excisión quirúrgica, se envió la muestra al laboratorio de Anatomía Patológica, y se concluyó el diagnóstico de tumor odontogénico adenomatoide extrafolicular. Conclusiones: el tumor odontogénico adenomatoide, más común en la maxila, puede presentarse en la mandíbula. Los hallazgos clínico-radiográficos semejan otras lesiones odontogénicas como quistes dentígeros, otras neoplasias y lesiones periapicales inflamatorias, siendo el diagnóstico anatomopatológico el concluyente(AU)

Introduction: adenomatoid odontogenic tumor is a benign odontogenic tumor composed of odontogenic epithelium with mature fibrous stroma without ectomesenchymal involvement. It represents between 2 percent and 7 percent of these tumors. More than 90 percent appear before age 30, with three clinical variants: follicular, extrafollicular and peripheral. Its clinical-radiographic aspect may vary, and it may be confused with other cystic or neoplastic lesions of the oral cavity, hence the need for an anatomo-pathological diagnosis. Objective: present a case of mandibular extrafollicular adenomatoid odontogenic tumor. Case presentation: afemale 12-year-old patient presents with asymptomatic left mandibular gum swelling, with no pathological antecedents of interest and an imprecise time of evolution. Physical examination found a round 1.5 cm swelling displacing the left mandibular gum between the lateral incisor and the canine. Radiography revealed a unilocular radiolucent lesion between teeth 42 and 43 expanding the cortical bone. The teeth involved showed no pulpal vitality. Upon reaching a clinical diagnosis of periapical cyst, surgical excision was performed and a sample was submitted to the Anatomical Pathology laboratory. The anatomo-pathological diagnosis was extrafollicular adenomatoid odontogenic tumor. Conclusions: though more common in the maxilla, adenomatoid odontogenic tumors may also occur in the mandible. Clinical and radiological features may be similar to those of other odontogenic lesions, such as dentigerous cysts, other neoplasms and periapical inflammatory lesions; therefore, the final diagnosis should be provided by anatomo-pathological evaluation(AU)

Electric Saw Face Self-Mutilation in a 22-Year-Old Schizophrenic Man: Case Report.

Schizophrenia is a debilitating psychiatric disorder that affects a large segment of the population. It is managed mainly through pharmacotherapy, and family engagement is mandatory in the process. We present a case of self-mutilation in a 22-year-old man who cut his mandible with an electric saw, trying to modify his chin to better his appearance.

An Algorithmic Approach to the Management of Ballistic Facial Trauma in the Civilian Population.

Annual incidence of non-fatal ballistic civilian has been increasing for the last decade. The aim of the present study was to clarify the optimal reconstructive management of civilian ballistic facial injuries. A systematic review of PubMed was performed. Articles were evaluated for defect type and site, reconstructive modality, complications, and outcomes. A total of 30 articles were included. Most common region of injury was mandibular with a 46.6% incidence rate. All-cause complication rate after reconstruction was 31.0%. About 13.3% of patients developed a postoperative infection. Gunshot wounds had overall lower complication rates as compared with shotgun wounds at 9.0% and 17.0%. By region, complications for gunshot wounds were 35% and 34% for mandible and maxilla, respectively. Immediate surgical intervention with conservative serial debridement is recommended. However, for patients with pre-existing psychiatric disorders, secondary revisions should be delayed until proper psychiatric stabilization. When there is extensive loss of soft tissue in the midface, aesthetic outcomes are achieved with a latissimus dorsi or anterolateral thigh free flap. Radial forearm flap is favored for thin lining defects. Open reduction is suggested for bony-tissue stabilization. The fibula flap is recommended for bony defects >5 cm in both midface and mandible. For bony defects, <5 cm bone grafting was preferred. Delaying bone grafting does not worsen patient outcomes. Surgical treatment of ballistic facial trauma requires thorough preparation and precise planning. An algorithm that summarizes the approach to the main decision points of surgical management and reconstruction after ballistic facial trauma has been presented in this study.