One Point Versus Two Point Fixation of Tripodal Zygomatic Fractures

The zygomatic bone defines the anterior and lateral projection of the face and articulates with the frontal, sphenoid,temporal, and maxillary bones. The zygomatic complex is responsible for the protection of the orbital contents and the mid-facial contour. Fracture of the zygomatic complex is one of the most common facial injuries in maxillofacial trauma and predominately appears in young adult males. The etiology of zygomatic complex fractures primarily includes road traffic accidents, violent assaults, falls and sports injuries. The main clinical features of zygomatic complex fractures include diplopia, enophthalmos, subconjunctival ecchymosis, extraocular muscle entrapment, cosmetic deformity with depression of the malar eminence, malocclusion and neurosensory disturbances of the infraorbital nerve. Diagnosis of zygomatic complex fractures is usually clinical with confirmation by computed tomography (CT) scan. Zygomatic complex fractures with no or minimal displacement are often treated without surgical intervention, whereas fractures with functional or esthetic impairments often necessitate surgical intervention. Various surgical approaches and treatment strategies have been proposed to obtain successful treatment outcome, including the Gilles temporal approach, eyebrow, upper eyelid, transconjunctival, infraciliary lower eyelid, and intraoral vestibular approaches. The surgical approach for adequate reduction of zygomatic complex fractures must ensure a good functional and cosmetic result. Surgical reduction of zygomatic fractures by an intraoral surgical approach was first described in1909 by Keen, and several studies have subsequently documented the treatment outcome after open reduction of zygomatic complex fractures by an intraoral surgical approach.