CASE REPORTS   

Journal of Maxillofacial Trauma 2013 August;2(2):46-9

Copyright © 2013 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Face-bow assisted zygomaticomaxillary complex fracture reduction

Jundt J., Vuu T., Demian N.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA

Zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures can result in unacceptable facial asymmetry when insufficiently reduced. Current intraoperative evaluation modalities involve visual inspection and palpation thus lacking objectivity. Inadequate reduction of ZMC fractures have been reported in 12.5% to 28% of cases at follow-up.1-3 Geijerstam et al. reported a fourfold increase in postoperative symptoms such as cheek asymmetry, enophthalmos, and diplopia in patients with inadequately reduced ZMC fractures using a closed reduction method.2 In 1992, Zingg et al. evaluated the reduction of 1025 zygomatic arch fractures and malar asymmetry in 12.4% of patients.3 The use of surgical navigation systems for ZMC fracture reduction has been reported, however, the technology is costly and availability is limited in most medical centers.4, 5 We present a case report demonstrating an efficient and objective technique for verifying the adequacy of reduction in a ZMC fracture intraoperatively.