RECONSTRUCTION OF FACIAL DIMENSION IN COMPLEX PANFACIAL FRACTURES: SURGICAL PRINCIPLES, TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES, AND CURRENT PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

Complex panfacial fractures represent one of the greatest challenges in oral and maxillofacial surgery and traumatology due to the simultaneous involvement of the upper, middle, and lower thirds of the face, resulting in the loss of anatomical landmarks and functional and aesthetic impairment. This study aimed to review the literature on facial dimension reconstruction in complex panfacial fractures, emphasizing surgical principles, bone and soft tissue reconstruction strategies, operative sequencing, and technological advances applied to treatment. This is a narrative literature review conducted via searches in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases, using keywords related to craniofacial trauma and facial reconstruction. The studies demonstrated that successful reconstruction depends on the three-dimensional restoration of facial architecture, the recovery of vertical dimension, occlusion, and facial symmetry, combined with individualized surgical planning. Furthermore, it was observed that soft tissue reconstruction, the use of microsurgical flaps, and virtual planning contribute significantly to better functional and aesthetic outcomes. It is concluded that the integration of conventional reconstructive techniques and digital technologies represents the most promising approach to optimizing treatment and reducing the sequelae resulting from complex panfacial fractures.