LATE DEFORMITIES FOLLOWING SUICIDAL MAXILLOFACIAL GUNSHOT WOUNDS

Suicidal maxillofacial gunshot wounds are challenging and restoration of the optimal function and esthetic is the primary aim of the surgery. In this study, we aimed to determine the efficacy of early definitive treatment of suicidal maxillofacial gunshot wounds. We also aimed to determine the secondary deformities and the treatment options used for these secondary deformities. Between January 1996-january 2003, twenty six patients were included in the study. The type of the surgery, the secondary deformities and correction of these deformities were determined. The secondary deformities observed were oronasal fistula, nasal deformation, telecathus, bone exposition, alveolar cret and dental loss, malar depression, vestibular inadequacy, oral incompetence, non-union, enophthalmus, orocutaneous fistula, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, orbital dystopi, malocclusion and entropion. The average operation number is 1.8 at the patients in whom the soft and bony tissue defects are reconstructed at the early period. When the patients are operated at the late period, this number found to be 3.36. At the first operation, the bony skeleton must be evaluated thoroughly and stabilized rigidly. The soft and bony tissue defects must be determined at the first operation and reconstructed adequately in order to obtain satisfying functional and esthetic results.