Illinois/Chicago Area Plastic Surgery Procedures:
Trauma/Facial Fractures

Patients who are involved in accidents resulting in either soft tissue trauma (lacerations) or bony fractures, especially in the facial area, are often referred to plastic surgeons to achieve the best scar/result possible. While minor lacerations, in a favorable orientation and with no tissue loss, can usually be adequately treated by ER personnel, more complex lacerations often can benefit from plastic surgical intervention.

Facial fractures commonly treated by plastic surgeons may include nasal fractures resulting in nasal distortion or airway compromise, or cheek fractures, which may result in collapse of the cheek or even malposition/dysfunction of the eye indirectly involved. (Less commonly, we see forehead depression/frontal sinus fractures, or mandibular fractures, which are usually better treated by oral/maxillofacial surgeons, at least in our setting.)

While it is beneficial to cleanse and close lacerations within 6 hours of injury, we usually wait several days before assessing a facial fracture, to allow swelling to resolve, but ideally plan intervention within 10-14 days of the injury, before bony fractures set in a displaced position.

As stated in Dr. Paul Steinwald's profile, he takes a majority of call for the practice, and is "on call" for the Lake Forest Emergency Department approximately 1/3 of the year, in 2-week blocks. He is happy to see established or new patients on "off call" days, however, provided he is otherwise available.