Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

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What is it?

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons require a dual qualification in medicine and dentistry.  They perform specialised surgery of the face, mouth, neck and jaw.

Mr Zaid Sadiq

The challenges of treating facial trauma in children and the medicolegal implications

by Mr Zaid Sadiq, Consultant in Oral and Maxillofacial/Head and Neck Surgery

The face is associated with both functions vital to maintain life and cosmetic appearance. Therefore, injuries in this area are clinically significant (1).  When facial injuries occur at a young age, they can have lasting consequences and result in significant disability (2, 3). Not only is paediatric facial trauma a leading cause of mortality and morbidity (2, 4), but it differs from that in adults in presentation, mode of injury  and subsequent treatment (2).   […]

Complications associated with facial trauma and their medicolegal implications 

Facial trauma can result in serious complications such as airway obstruction, vision impairment, neurological injury and long-term facial dysfunction if not promptly diagnosed and treated. Delays or inadequate management increase the risk of lasting physical and psychological harm, which can carry significant medicolegal consequences.

Medicolegal issues surrounding consent in dentoalveolar surgery

Failure to obtain proper consent is a common cause of litigation. Given that the number of dentoalveolar surgical procedures is rising, a lack of proper informed consent being obtained from patients is likely to become an increasing issue.