LIP PERFORATION INJURY IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT CASE: A CASE REPORT

Abstract

Traffic accidents are one of the leading causes of injury and mortality worldwide, including in Indonesia, with motorcycles being the most frequently involved vehicles. Facial injuries, particularly lip perforation wounds, are common forms of soft tissue injury among motorcycle accident victims due to blunt trauma. These injuries carry significant clinical and aesthetic implications, thus requiring appropriate evaluation and management. We report the case of a 31- year-old male who presented to the Emergency Department of Labuang Baji Regional General Hospital with a history of a traffic accident while riding as a motorcycle passenger. The patient was wearing a helmet and was thrown approximately ±2–3 meters after the motorcycle was struck from the side. The patient experienced bleeding from the lip without any loss of consciousness, nausea, vomiting, seizures, or headache. Based on anamnesis and physical examination, findings included contusion of the right orbital region and a perforating laceration of the right upper labial region caused by blunt trauma. Neurological status was within normal limits, with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 15 and no neurological deficits. The pattern of injuries was consistent with the mechanism of the accident, supporting a causal relationship with the traffic accident. This case highlights that motorcycle traffic accidents can result in lip perforation injuries due to blunt trauma and underscores the importance of comprehensive evaluation of facial soft tissue injuries in both clinical and forensic contexts.