Emergency Services

Overview

How a wound is treated in its first hours influences how it looks years later. The clinic provides prompt assessment and repair of soft-tissue injuries of the face and body, and assessment of suspected facial fractures, with surgery arranged at an appropriately equipped hospital facility where an operating theatre is required.

In an emergency — heavy bleeding, loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, or a suspected head, neck or spinal injury — attend the nearest hospital Accident & Emergency department rather than the clinic.

Common presentations

• Laceration repair (adults and paediatric patients) — cleaning, exploration and layered closure of cuts, including facial lacerations where the cosmetic result matters. Children are assessed for whether repair is best carried out under local anaesthetic or with sedation in a hospital setting.
• Facial fracture — assessment of suspected fractures of the nose, cheekbone, eye socket or jaw, including the imaging required to confirm them, and surgical fixation where displacement or functional impairment warrants it.

Assessment

Assessment covers the mechanism of injury, the depth and contamination of the wound, damage to underlying structures such as nerves, tendons or the tear duct, tetanus status, and — for facial injuries — vision, eye movement, sensation, bite and jaw opening. Imaging is arranged where a fracture is suspected. Where an injury is better managed in a hospital setting, that is said plainly and the referral made.

Recovery

Facial sutures are usually removed at five to seven days, and elsewhere on the body at ten to fourteen days, with taping or dressings continued afterwards. Swelling and bruising settle over one to two weeks. A scar continues to remodel for twelve to eighteen months, during which sun protection and scar care make a measurable difference; review appointments are arranged to follow it. Fixed facial fractures usually involve a soft diet and activity restriction for several weeks.

Risks & considerations

Wound repair carries risks of infection, wound breakdown, altered sensation, and a scar that is more visible than hoped and may need revision later. Surgery for facial fractures carries additional risks including persistent numbness, double vision, asymmetry, altered bite, and problems related to the plates and screws used for fixation. No repair can guarantee an invisible scar — the aim is a well-aligned, well-supported wound with the best chance of healing quietly.

This page provides general information only and does not constitute medical advice. Suitability, benefits, limitations and risks of any procedure can only be determined at a medical consultation.