Fractures of the bony-face bulk or cranio-maxilla-face take place as a result of severe traumatism. According to localization, they are divided into upper jaw or frontal, middle third and lower jaw or mandibular. The upper jaw fractures are the less frequent of the bony-face bulk, with higher incidence in males and between 20 and 40 years old. Traffic accidents and assaults are the main causes; these fractures may be single-, double-, multiple trace or comminute and in some cases they combine with other type of face or panfacial fractures. Age, sex and cause are the most important factors to determine management. We propose a new comprehensive classification of upper jaw fractures that includes important frontal region anatomical and surgical characteristics, of easy application.

Melanoma consists in malignant degeneration and atypia of melanocytes (melanin pigment forming cells). Melanocytes are found in skin (basal layer of epidermis), eye (choroid membrane) and central nervous system (pia mater). Location in head and neck represents 30% of all melanomas, following upper and lower extremities localization, and over two-thirds are located in the skin of the face. Origin in the mucous membranes (nose, oral cavity, and conjunctiva) is less common and usually lacks melanin. There are reports of intraocular and submandibular salivary gland melanomas, but these presentations are very rare.