COMPLEX EAR LACERATIONS

Course overview

FACIAL LACERATIONS ARE A COMMON PATIENT PRESENTATION, AND THE EAR PRESENTS A UNIQUE CHALLENGE DUE TO ITS STRUCTURE. THE EAR IS PARTICULARLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO LACERATIONS, AVULSIONS, AND BLUNT TRAUMA DUE TO THE PROMINENT POSITION OF THE EARS OVERLYING A BONY SURFACE. HEALTH PROFESSIONALS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE COMPLEXITIES OF TREATING EAR LACERATIONS AND POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS THAT CAN ARISE. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH EAR LACERATIONS AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN THE CARE OF AFFECTED PATIENTS.