Upcoming Grand Rounds

Grand Rounds - Thursday March 5, 2026 (0900-1000)

Room: Clara Christie (HSC)
Join Zoom Meeting: https://ucalgary.zoom.us/j/91711519300
Meeting ID: 917 1151 9300 
Passcode: 932542

 DEM Academic Grand Rounds Evaluation Google Form

Speaker:   Dr. Celine Edwards, CCFP-EM PGY03
Moderator: Dr. Andrea Boone, MD, FRCPC (EM/PEM)
Primary Preceptor:  Dr. Jevon Brown, MD, MSc, FRCSC, Director of Calgary Craniofacial Trauma Clinic
Special Guest: Dr. Dave McKenzie, MD, FRCPC (Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery)

Title: In the Face of Trauma: ED Management of Facial Fractures
Description:  Facial fractures are a common emergency presentation, and the outcomes of these injuries have a major impact on patient function. This presentation will review the emergency management of facial fractures, as well as the referral options in Calgary which aim to streamline care and offload the ED.
Summary/Teaching points:

  1. Severe craniofacial trauma poses unique challenges to patient stabilization. Although facial fractures sometimes increase the space for laryngoscopy, the loss of bony architecture can obstruct the airway, and life-threatening hemorrhage can occur from internal maxillary artery injury requiring packing, manual reduction, and IR embolization. C-spine injury also occurs frequently in the setting of facial fractures.
  2. CT Facial Bones is the imaging modality of choice in all cases of suspected facial fractures, except for isolated nasal fractures which do not require any imaging.
  3. Craniofacial fractures requiring emergent surgical consultation include any fracture with CSF leak or pneumocephalus, fractures through the posterior table of the frontal sinus or temporal bone, and orbital fractures complicated by entrapment, ocular compartment syndrome, superior orbital fissure syndrome, and orbital apex syndrome.
  4. Evidence supports the delayed outpatient repair of most nonemergent isolated facial fractures, and early disposition of appropriate patients to a facial surgeon (Plastic Surgery or Oral Maxillofacial Surgery in the Calgary Zone) streamlines care.
  5. Antibiotics are only recommended in facial fractures which are 1) open; 2) involving the sinuses in a patient with an upper respiratory tract infection or chronic sinusitis; or 3) through a tooth-bearing segment.