ABSTRACT
The prominent visibility of the face has placed both significant functional and aesthetic roles on it. It represents a major source of communication and sensory input for the person. Maxillofacial injuries are an infrequent cause of immediate death for the multiply traumatized patient. It is therefore extremely important for the primary physician to recognize and treat facial trauma properly, and in its proper sequence in the management of the multiply traumatized patient.
Subject(s)
Facial Bones/injuries , Facial Injuries/therapy , Skull Fractures/therapy , Accidents, Traffic , Emergencies , Facial Injuries/diagnosis , Facial Injuries/etiology , Humans , Skull Fractures/diagnosis , Skull Fractures/etiologyABSTRACT
Epi-Lock, a 1-mm-thick semipermeable sheet of modified polyurethane dressing material, was compared with silver sulfadiazene cream (Silvadene) in a prospective, randomized, cross-over-controlled study in which 50 patients alternated changing antibiotic cream daily with leaving the polyurethane sheet in place for a week. Overall, patient and physician preference for Epi-Lock was statistically significant (P less than 0.004), based on less pain, easier care, and faster healing. The collection of fluid under the polyurethane dressing and the necessity of leaving the wound covered for a week were less well accepted. Epi-Lock represents a major advance in wound dressing materials and should eventually gain wide application in outpatient treatment of partial thickness burns and abrasions.
