The pattern of soft-tissue facial injuries resulting from automobile windshields has changed remarkably with recent changes in windshield construction. Whereas formerly large avulsion flaps and avulsion injuries resulted, the current forms of injuries consist of numerous small lacerations and triangular avulsion flaps.

Treatment of the former type of windshield injury was of major concern in the emergency room priority, and plastic surgeons were commonly asked to perform this primary repair. As the more current windshield injuries are less dramatic in appearance they often receive only cursory medical attention. The final appearance of these latter forms of injury are often quite disappointing. Small triangular avulsion flaps contract and the patient is left with a pebbly, scarred forehead as a final result.

Though not all treatment problems relative to the newer forms of windshield injuries have been resolved, the author has attempted to define the surgical problems and recommends approaches to treatment which minimize subsequent facial disfigurement.