Access to the upper third of the face: a literary review of indications, techniques, and intercurrences

Abstract

Due to its location, anatomy, and projection in the upper third of the face, the frontal bone is frequently affected by trauma of different intensities that result in fractures. Access to the upper third of the face for the correct reduction and stabilization of the trauma requires an extensive approach. The main alternatives for correct exposure are coronal and transcutaneous incisions. The coronal incision is the incision of choice, as it allows us to adequately approach important structures related to fractures of the frontal bone. The transcutaneous incisions, these incisions comprise the region of the eyebrow, upper eyelid, eyebrow, and gull-wing incision and, when present, lacerations in the soft tissue of the trauma itself can be used as access to the fractures. The present work aimed to describe, through a literature review, the accesses to the upper third of the face, as well as to report the techniques and intercurrences. Even though it is the main choice for coronal access, it can cause alopecia, loss of sensitivity, compromised aesthetics, muscle depression, possible need for postoperative blood transfusion, facial nerve deficit, and supratrochlear deficit, among others. The alternatives are transcutaneous incisions, these incisions include the region of the eyebrow, upper eyelid, eyebrow, and gull-wing incision and, when present, lacerations in the soft tissue of the trauma itself can be used as access to the fractures. It was concluded that although coronal access is the main choice, the choice of incision depends on the location of the fracture, the presence of laceration, its extension, its relationship with other fractures, and surgeon preference, in addition to aesthetic factors.