Aim : To assess the early management of head and neck gunshot injuries occurred in Sabha and Beni Walid war fronts.

Patients and methods : A total of 102 patients were treated during 1st September 2011 to 20th October 2011 have been included. Medical documentation of the patient was compiled.

Results : 43 patient with soft tissue injuries only and 59 patient had soft and skeletal facial structures injuries. There were 139 bullet different calibers (7.62 × 39 mm, 9 mm, 12.5 mm, and 14.5 mm), and 4 land mine. Of the 97.2% of the patients who had an injury to the underlying maxillofacial bone, all required surgical intervention. On admission victims of gunshot injuries are managed by standard advanced trauma life support (ATLS) protocols.

Conclusion : All patients in this series required surgical intervention for treatment of their facial gunshot wounds. Primary treatment of soft and skeletal facial structures at the time of surgical debridement was possible in the majority of our patients. Early operative intervention for repair of the soft and skeletal facial structures leads to satisfactory results. Time of surgery should be carefully planned allowing reduction of tissue edema and avoiding development of malunion.