Radiographic evaluation of percutaneous transfacial wiring versus open internal fixation for surgical treatment of unstable zygomatic bone fractures.

INTRODUCTION: The fixation of unstable zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures can be achieved by open reduction with rigid internal fixation (ORIF) and/or by closed reduction with percutaneous transfacial Kirschner wire fixation (CRWF). The aim of this study was to tomographically assess the symmetry and the protrusion of the cheekbone with unstable ZMC fractures that had been treated by ORIF vs. CRWF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients exhibiting a surgically unstable tetrapodal ZMC fracture were included in this multicenter retrospective study. The coordinates of 5 landmarks representing the zygomatic protrusion were comparatively studied on the healthy and on the broken side using preoperative and postoperative tridimensional computed tomography (CT) scans or cone beam CT. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in the zygomatic protrusion irrespective of the surgical technique that was used. The zygomatico-maxillary ansa was found to be the most complicated area to reduce, particularly in the frontal plane with both the CRWF and the ORIF technique (p1 = 0.001 and p2 = 0.0009, respectively). There was no difference in terms of the level of complications, while the mean duration of the surgery was significantly less for the CRWF group. CONCLUSION: With good postoperative radiographic outcomes, the CRWF can be proposed as an alternative or in association with the ORIF technique for fixation of tetrapodal fractures of the ZMC.

Lengthening temporalis myoplasty and reduction of the swallowing oral phase dysfunction in facial palsy patients.

INTRODUCTION: Facial palsy can cause dysfunction in the oral phase of swallowing. Lengthening temporalis myoplasty is a widely used technique for correction of facial asymmetry in facial palsy. The aim of this study was to determine whether lengthening temporalis myoplasty could reduce the dysfunction in the oral phase of swallowing in patients with facial palsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 13 patients undergoing lengthening temporalis myoplasty. Lip continence, bolus residue, and perceived disability before surgery and at 3 months and 6 months after surgery were compared. Lip force was evaluated with a manometric test and drooling with a self-administered questionnaire. Bolus residue was assessed visually. Perceived disability was evaluated using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Lip force improved significantly (from 58.23 ± 23.35 mmHg to 91.15 ± 18.36 mmHg; p = 0.001). Drooling showed a corresponding reduction, with the score decreasing from 4.31 ± 1.8 to 3 ±â€¯1.41; p = 0.025. A decrease in bolus residue was also noted; the score decreased from 1.39 ± 0.77 to 0.46 ± 0.66; p < 0.001. These changes contributed to a significant reduction in perceived physical disability; the score decreased from 6.15 ± 3.74 to 3.46 ± 5.70; p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Lengthening temporalis myoplasty, in addition to providing smile reanimation, may also reduce the dysfunction of the oral phase of swallowing in patients with facial palsy.