Facial Soft Tissue Trauma — Evaluation, Layered Repair, and High-Risk Anatomic Zones

This episode reviews the core principles of facial soft tissue trauma, focusing on initial evaluation, wound preparation, layered repair, and region-specific anatomy.Topics include conservative debridement of facial wounds, prevention of traumatic tattooing, the “jigsaw puzzle” approach to stellate lacerations, and the importance of marking key landmarks before local anesthetic distortion. High-yield concepts include mark before you park, the 72-hour rule for facial nerve stimulation, and careful evaluation of associated injuries before closure.Regional repair strategies are reviewed for the scalp, eyebrow, eyelid, nose, ear, cheek, and lip, including galeal repair, eyebrow preservation, gray-line alignment, canalicular injury, septal hematoma, auricular hematoma, parotid duct injury, and precise vermilion border repair.Clinical considerations include suture choice, timing of suture removal, trapdoor deformity, dog-ear correction, and scar prevention, with emphasis on preserving both function and appearance in highly visible facial injuries.Part of Dr. Lara’s Plastic Surgery Compendium — a high-yield audio reference for plastic surgery trainees and surgeons.DisclaimerThis podcast is intended for educational purposes only and is designed for medical students, residents, fellows, and practicing healthcare professionals. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment for any individual patient. The content presented reflects general surgical principles and should not be used as a substitute for formal medical training, clinical judgment, or consultation with qualified healthcare professionals. Listening to this podcast does not establish a physician–patient relationship.SEO / Topic Keywordsfacial soft tissue trauma, facial laceration repair, vermilion border repair, traumatic tattoo prevention, facial nerve injury 72 hour rule, parotid duct injury, Stensen duct, septal hematoma, auricular hematoma, canalicular injury, eyelid laceration gray line, eyebrow laceration no shave, galea repair, scalp laceration, trapdoor deformity, dog ear correction