Trauma surgery is a specialised form of surgery that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of serious and sometimes fatal injuries that develop as a result of trauma or by impact forces. Despite the fact that there are many different reasons why impact forces occur, some of the more frequent ones are falls, sports, crush injuries, gunshot or knife wounds, and traffic accidents.

There is very little time for the in-depth conversations that may normally take place in certain medical appointments because trauma surgery is such a fast-paced and intensive practise. The number of persons who die as a result of their injuries has decreased because of advancements in trauma surgery.

Trauma surgeons frequently work as a member of a larger team of surgeons who have additional training in fields like orthopaedic, vascular, maxillofacial, cardiothoracic, plastic (i.e., specialized for the reconstruction of bodily regions after), and neurosurgery after major accidents.

Maxillofacial Fractures

Any damage to the face or jaw is referred to as maxillofacial fracture. Maxillofacial fractures make up a sizable component of trauma worldwide. Road traffic accidents, falls, sports, injuries from firearms, and industrial trauma are the primary causes globally. Symptoms of facial bone fractures might include pain, swelling, bleeding, bruising, and numbness. They can also make it difficult to breathe, speak, or see.

Maxillofacial trauma can potentially cause significant or even fatal symptoms such as brain damage, breathing blockage, heavy bleeding, or shock. Early diagnosis and careful treatment planning are of utmost significance because of the intricate architecture in this area and its proximity to important tissues, including the brain.

Soft Tissue Injuries

When trauma or overuse affects muscles, tendons, or ligaments, it results in soft tissue injuries (STI). A sudden, unexpected, or uncontrolled movement, such carelessly stepping off a curb and rolling over your ankle, is the cause of the majority of soft tissue injuries.  However, overusing or chronically worn-out structures, particularly muscles and tendons, can also cause soft tissue injury. Pain, edoema, bruising, and injury may be the outcome.

Most common soft tissue injuries are:

• Ankle Sprain
• Back Strain
• Golfers/Tennis elbow
• Hamstring strain

Trauma Surgery at Apollo Hospital, Karnataka

The ultimate goal of trauma surgery is to minimize the need for additional surgeries and prevent functional or aesthetic abnormalities in the patient. To fix fractured bones, soft tissues, or both, your surgeon could advise a surgery.

Before the Surgery

• Any queries you may have will be answered by your surgeon during your initial appointment, so take advantage of this opportunity to discuss any worries you may have.
• It’s critical that you inform your surgeon of any medications you take and any medical diagnoses.
• You should make arrangements for a driver to take you from the hospital once your operation is over as you get ready for your surgery. Patients with facial injuries spend at least one night in the hospital.
• You should remove all of your jewelry and accessories the day before surgery, along with any contact lenses you may use.

During the Surgery

A trauma expert may examine any patient who has sustained a physically stressful injury. Patients are swiftly evaluated as soon as they enter the emergency room to determine the severity of their wounds and which ones pose the most risk to their survival and ability to function. When immediate surgery is not necessary to save the patient’s life, the top priorities before surgery are stabilization and resuscitation. After that, final surgical treatment is administered. In the patient’s resuscitation and stabilization procedures, trauma surgeons collaborate closely with emergency staff.

Recovery After Surgery

Your ability to recover after trauma surgery depends on a variety of personal circumstances, including your age, the site and severity of your injury, and your general health. Following are the crucial thing that needs to be taken care of:

• Depending on the location and severity of your wounds, you can continue to feel pain even after the healing is finished. It’s critical to let your doctor know how uncomfortable you are. Your doctor can assist you in safely and successfully managing pain after they have identified the cause of it.
• Multiple types of treatments might be necessary for your recovery following surgery. You have the best chance of recovering quickly and getting back to your regular activities by adhering to your individualized treatment plan. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and/or drug therapy might all be part of your entire treatment strategy. To treat persistent chronic pain, interventional pain treatments may be required.
• You might need psychological counselling in addition to treatments that aid in physical recovery to help you deal with the psychological and emotional components of your trauma and recovery.
• Following the surgery, it is essential to attend regular appointments with your surgeon to ensure that your recovery is on track. As they are a crucial part of the healing process, be sure you don’t miss these appointments.

Complications after Trauma Surgery

The death of the patient is the most severe potential complication. A number of long-term issues may arise if trauma surgery is not performed as soon as it is necessary, such as:

• Limb amputation
• Neurological abnormalities
• Internal organ damage
• Loss of function

Fortunately, improvements in science have made it possible to better comprehend the processes that lead to morbidity and death in severe injuries during the past several decades.

Treatment at Apollo Hospital Karnataka

At Apollo Hospital in Karnataka, we recognise that treating face trauma is crucial to promoting an efficient and painless healing process after damage. The top trauma surgeons are always available and are capable of executing cutting-edge surgeries. Our team comprises highly skilled surgeons, each with expertise in specific medical issues and treatments. To ensure an edge in emergency care, we rapidly deploy our multispecialty expertise. We also closely monitor various critical parameters to maintain our commitment to delivering exceptional care consistently.