A CADAVERIC AND CLINICAL-EVALUATION OF ENDOSCOPICALLY ASSISTED ZYGOMATIC FRACTURE REPAIR

An endoscopic method of malar arch repair without a bicoronal incision has been recently described. To determine the effectiveness of this n ew technique, a cadaver study was performed to evaluate the capacity o f this technique to (1) restore the anatomic position of a fractured m alar arch, (2) rigidly fixate the arch, and (3) avoid injury to the fr ontal branch of the facial nerve. The technique of endoscopically assi sted fracture repair was then applied to a clinical series of consecut ive patients presenting with displaced zygomatic fractures with commin ution at the malar arch. All cadaveric specimens repaired with this en doscopic technique demonstrated anatomic reduction and rigid fixation of the arch without disruption of the frontal branch of the facial ner ve. In all clinical cases, four-point rigid plate fixation (zygomatico frontal, infraorbital, malar arch, and zygomaticomaxillary buttress) w as achieved endoscopically with limited access incisions. All clinical cases demonstrated excellent skeletal restoration of the zygoma on po stoperative computed tomography scans. On clinical examination, facial symmetry and normal facial nerve function were observed in all patien ts after operation.