Sharon M., 17

Sharon is a 17-year-old girl, the firstborn in a family of four children. She lives with her mother and three siblings in a single-room house. Her family lives in extreme poverty. Sharon’s mother is the sole provider and survives by doing any available manual work, including cleaning houses, washing clothes, tilling land, and performing unskilled labor at construction sites. The family lives hand-to-mouth, and the children are frequently sent home from school due to lack of school fees, uniforms, and basic supplies, clearly reflecting their underprivileged circumstances. Sharon was involved in a road traffic accident and was brought to the hospital unconscious. On admission, she had visible bruises on her forehead and nose, injuries to the right eye, and fractures involving the upper limb and jaw. Further assessment revealed multiple serious injuries, including bilateral mandibular fractures, a focal depressed fracture of the right zygomatic arch, fractures of the anterior and posterior lateral walls of the maxillary sinus, a fracture of the ramus of the right mandible, and dislocation of the right temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Due to the extent and severity of her injuries, Sharon is in urgent need of maxillofacial surgery. The procedure requires prior purchase of specialized plates and screws. She is currently in significant pain, and timely surgical intervention is critical to prevent complications, restore facial function, and relieve suffering.

The patient was involved in a road traffic accident in November last year, which led to multiple facial fractures. After assessment and investigations, she was diagnosed with panfacial fractures. She underwent osteotomy and open reduction with internal fixation (ORIF) using mini plates and screws. Proper occlusion was restored, and a provisional prosthesis was fabricated to replace the lost teeth. The patient stabilized well and was discharged on 3rd February 2026, with a follow-up review scheduled for 11th February 2026. A follow up phone call made 3 days after the discharge confirmed that she is doing well.

with proper treatment, focusing on restoring function (eating, speaking, facial symmetry) and preventing complications like chronic sinusitis, malocclusion, nerve damage, or vision issues, depending heavily on fracture severity, associated injuries (midface, orbital), and timely, precise surgical management, though minor fractures often heal well. With prompt maxillofacial surgical intervention, appropriate fixation using plates and screws, effective pain control, and adequate post-operative care, Sharon’s prognosis is fair to good. Early surgery will greatly improve the chances of proper bone healing, restoration of jaw function, and prevention of long-term complications such as chronic pain, facial deformity, malocclusion, or TMJ dysfunction. However, delays in surgical management due to financial constraints may worsen outcomes and increase the risk of permanent disability.