[Treatment of zygomatio- orbital fractures with small local incisions: report of 32 cases].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the surgical result of small local incisions in the treatment of zygomatio-orbital fractures.

METHODS

32 patients with zygomatio-orbital fractures were operated on with two or more kinds of incisions, including subciliary incision, lateral eyebrow incision, transverse incision along the superior margin of zygomatic arch, oral vestibular incision, maxillary sinus incision, the original wound according to the area and type of the fractures. The fracture line was exposed via the small local incisions and fixed with micro-titanium plates. The therapeutic effectiveness was evaluated 3 to 6 months after operation.

RESULTS

All patients had primary healing without apparent scars in the face,except that one patient developed mild ectropion and two had temporary paralysis of the temporal branches of the facial nerve. The function of the eyes recovered completely, while the jaw movement improved significantly. The facial appearance recovered to normal height and width and the bilateral face became symmetrical.

CONCLUSION

Treatment of zygomatic-orbital fractures with small local incisions is minimally invasive and the facial appearance and function can be recovered significantly with few complications.