Traumatic facial injury became a hallmark of the First World War (1914–1918) as a result of the nature of trench warfare. While the body was largely protected from the line of fire, the face was left exposed to disfiguring gunshot and shrapnel wounds.
The work of plastic surgeons like Sir Harold Gillies (1882–1960) is well remembered; however, the collection of First World War dental radiographs recalls the important contribution of dental surgeons to the treatment of jaw injuries.
The collection contains 23 radiographic images of cases treated by Sir J Frank Colyer (1866–1954) at Croydon War Hospital between 1915 and 1919. The images show complex jaw fractures, mainly caused by rifle bullets or shrapnel, although some blunt force trauma is featured including an injury sustained in a fall from a mast. Unlike some dental surgeons of the period, Colyer advocated the removal of any teeth in the fracture line to encourage bony union.
The radiographs highlight the importance of x-ray technology in First World War medicine. Although Röntgen rays were only discovered in 1895, by this time mobile x-ray units were already being deployed at the Front. While frontline surgeons focused on immediate field treatment, secondary surgeons like Colyer employed radiographs to plan procedures for the reduction and fixation of fractures.
The images demonstrate just how complex the jaw fractures Colyer received could be; often complicated by septic teeth and hastily made dental splints.
Considered alongside clinical art of the era, the Colyer radiographs provide a fascinating technical complement to the visualisation of First World War injuries.
Fracture of the jaw caused by a fall from a mast, 1915–1919. RCSOM/F 8.3
Radiograph of a fracture of the jaw caused by a rifle bullet, 1915–1919. Note the dental splint supporting the mandible. RCSOM/F 9.42
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
The Bulletin of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
Note: This functionality works only for purchases done as a guest. If you already have an account, log in to access the content to which you are entitled.
