Society of Military Otolaryngologists Trauma Symposium: Reconstruction of Ballistic Injuries to the Face and Neck

Sunday, October 12, 2025

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM EDT

Location: 137

Disclosure(s):

Charles M. Llewellyn, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

James M. Hamilton, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Jobran Mansour, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: This activity will bring together military and civilian facial trauma surgeons to discuss their experiences evaluating and managing penetrating head and neck trauma from ballistic injuries. High-velocity ballistic injuries to the face are becoming increasingly common and represent a challenging treatment paradigm for reconstructive surgeons. These injuries can be overwhelming for both patients and surgeons, as injury patterns often limit reconstructive options and have life-long functional impacts.

We will utilize a case-based format to address the management of these wounds from triage through reconstruction and long-term restoration. We will briefly discuss initial management to stabilize neurovascular structures in large complex wounds, focusing on how to prevent limiting future reconstructive options even during initial life-saving measures.

Specifically, we will focus on complex reconstruction of composite defects that result from these injuries. This presentation will largely focus on optimizing wound management in the subacute setting and choosing the best reconstructive technique to address the anatomic deficit. We will also touch on rehabilitative systems to help restore form and function, with the goal of fully functional recovery.

Our discussion will consider how operating in underserved and/or austere environments may influence treatment strategies. Finally, we will address some of the controversies in acute and long-term reconstruction modalities and the need for multi-disciplinary care to achieve effective outcomes.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 1: React to initial lifesaving ballistic injuries while being mindful of future reconstructive options to limit collateral damage and allow for complex reconstruction of composite defects.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 2: Implement concepts of the reconstructive ladder as patients navigate away from the initial critical setting and into the subacute and rehabilitative stages of their recovery with a focus on maximizing form and function

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 3: Implement a plan on how to approach these challenging patients based on location and resources

BACKGROUND STATEMENT: This panel will address a gap topic: Reconstruction of Ballistic Injuries to the face and neck. Additionally, this panel is the highlight of the Society of Military Otolaryngologists Annual Meeting, held in concert with AAO-HNSF.

Comprehensive Otolaryngology Track Statement :

Moderator(s)

Charles M. Llewellyn, MD

Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Madigan Army Medical Center
Tacoma, WA, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Panelist(s)

James M. Hamilton, MD

Assistant Professor
Emory University
Atlanta, GA, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
Sara Yang, MD

Assistant Professor
OHSU
Portland , Oregon, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
JM

Jobran Mansour, MD

Assistant Professor
Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Philadelphia, PA, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.