52138 - Maxillary Artery Ligation

The need for ligation of the maxillary artery arises when a patient experiences severe, uncontrollable bleeding in the maxillofacial region—often stemming from trauma, surgical complications, or vascular anomalies—requiring surgical intervention to tie off this major artery under anesthesia with assistance in a hospital setting. This procedure is critical when less invasive methods like packing or cauterization fail to stem significant blood loss, which could otherwise lead to hemorrhagic shock, airway obstruction, or even death. The maxillary artery, supplying blood to the midface, nasal cavity, and palate, is a key vessel in the maxillofacial area, making its ligation a last-resort but life-saving measure in emergencies where rapid control of bleeding is paramount.

Specific scenarios necessitating this intervention include:

• Severe trauma: A penetrating injury, such as a gunshot wound or a deep laceration from an accident, might sever or rupture the maxillary artery, causing profuse bleeding that endangers the patient’s life.
• Post-surgical hemorrhage: Excessive bleeding following maxillary surgery, such as tumour resection or fracture repair, could require ligation if vessels are inadvertently damaged or if hemostasis fails.
• Vascular anomalies: Conditions like arteriovenous malformations or aneurysms in the maxillary region might lead to spontaneous, heavy bleeding, necessitating surgical control to prevent catastrophic blood loss.
• Emergency airway protection: Rapid blood flow into the oral or nasal cavity can obstruct breathing, particularly in patients with compromised airways due to swelling or injury, making ligation urgent to secure respiration.

For example, a patient involved in a motor vehicle accident with a fractured maxilla might present with uncontrollable nasal bleeding, requiring maxillary artery ligation to stabilize them for further treatment, with the surgical assistant ensuring precision around delicate facial structures. In an aged care context, an elderly patient with a spontaneous bleed from a weakened vessel—perhaps exacerbated by anticoagulant use—could need this procedure to avert a fatal outcome, given their reduced physiological reserves. By surgically tying off the artery, this intervention halts life-threatening hemorrhage, stabilizes the patient’s condition, and allows subsequent care to proceed safely, underscoring its critical role in managing acute maxillofacial bleeding emergencies.

Surgeons ligating the patient’s maxillary artery under anesthesia with assistance provide life-saving benefits for severe bleeding. A primary advantage is stopping severe bleeding. This procedure controls the patient’s significant hemorrhage, preventing shock or death—vital for 'maxillary artery ligation benefits.' It also stabilizes the patient’s condition by halting blood loss, allowing further treatment. Furthermore, it prevents life-threatening complications by addressing the source, protecting the patient’s overall health. For surgeons researching 'severe bleeding control advantages,' this assisted service ensures patients experience hemorrhage cessation, stability, and complication prevention, making it a critical intervention for maxillary artery-related emergencies.

Recovery of 2-4 weeks with swelling and monitoring for facial circulation; hospital stay required.