Introduction:
Craniofacial trauma may potentially have significant blood loss which may lead to death in some trauma patients.
Case report:
We report a case of a 43-year-old male who had a lethal noncompressible arterial hemorrhage from a penetrating wound on his left frontotemporal and preauricular region. Extensive bleeding was successfully temporarily controlled by external carotid artery (ECA) occlusion. The definitive operation was completed in a staged fashion following a computed tomography angiography assessment extension of the injury.
Conclusion:
Temporarily controlling the bleeding from the carotid artery should be considered as a life saving procedure in a lethal craniofacial injury.