jaw fracture
Last reviewed 01/2018
Clinical features:
- bruising and swelling
- dental trauma
- pain at the site of the fracture
- sublingual haematoma (this is characteristic of mandibular fracture)
- abnormal mobility of jaw
- crepitus (do not test for this)
Immediate treatment:
- make sure airway not obstructed
- immobilise with bandaging to reduce pain during transport to hospital
- Pethidine 50-100mg with Prochlorperazine 12.5mg i.m. if needed
- avoid Morphine and Diamorphine in head injury cases as it obscures important signs such as pupil reactions
- refer to A/E dept