Esthetic positioning of rigid internal fixation in tripod zygomatic fractures: an innovative surgical technique

J Craniofac Surg. 2009 May;20(3):724-5. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0b013e3181a2efc2.

Abstract

Tripod displaced zygomatic fractures are generally treated with rigid internal fixation at the intraorbital rim (IOR), frontozygomatic (FZ) suture, and zygomaticomaxillary buttress. Intraorbital rim fixation is associated with complaints of poor esthetic results and miniplate intolerance. Although different solutions were previously reported as 2-point fixation or resorbable fixation at the IOR, a 3-point fixation is considered the best choice for maintaining an optimal zygomatic stability after reduction. Consequently, the best goal is to perform a surgical technique that provides a 3-point fixation and avoids the consequence of subjective and objective alterations at the IOR and FZ areas. We propose an innovative technique that proved to be a simple, effective method to eliminate postsurgical sequelae due to rigid internal fixation positioning in the IOR and FZ areas.

MeSH terms

  • Bone Plates
  • Bone Screws
  • Cranial Sutures / surgery
  • Esthetics*
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal / instrumentation
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal / methods*
  • Frontal Bone / surgery
  • Humans
  • Maxilla / surgery
  • Orbit / surgery
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures / instrumentation
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures / methods
  • Zygoma / surgery
  • Zygomatic Fractures / surgery*