Changing Patterns of Zygomaticomaxillary Complex Fractures: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Limited research exists regarding the incidence and variations of zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fracture patterns and their correlation with the mechanism of injury. Hence, further research is indicated. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the different ZMC fracture patterns in relation to its etiology using computed tomography scans. STUDY DESIGN, SETTING, SAMPLE: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at a single institution. The medical records of maxillofacial trauma patients from 2016 to 2020 were analyzed. Patients from any gender and all age groups with complete records diagnosed with isolated ZMC fractures were included in the study. PREDICTOR VARIABLE: The primary predictor variable was the etiology of trauma. It was categorized as road traffic accidents (RTAs), falls, interpersonal violence, fall from height, sports injuries, etc. MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLES: The primary outcome variable was the ZMC fracture patterns observed and was defined as similar to or different from the classical fracture patterns. Any type of variation noted from the classical fracture lines was defined as the secondary outcome variable. COVARIATES: Covariates included demographic variables such as age, gender, the type of vehicle involved, the type of RTA, side of fracture, associated orbital fractures, and number of ZMC points fractured. ANALYSES: Descriptive and bivariate statistics were used to measure association between the predictor and outcome variables using multiple proportions χ2 test. Statistical significance was defined at P value of <.05. RESULTS: Out of the 232 scans assessed, a total of 163 cases were included in this study. A majority of the cases belonged to a range of 21 to 30 years and showed a male predilection. The most common mode of injury was found to be RTAs (88.3%). Most cases had fracture patterns different from the classical fracture patterns (65.64%). A statistically significant association was found between the types of ZMC fracture patterns and etiology of trauma (RTA P = <.0001, falls P = .0001, and interpersonal violence P = .0001). Five different variations in ZMC fracture patterns were found and had a statistically significant association with the classical fracture lines (P < .0001). CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: The authors conclude that the variations in fracture patterns encountered today may be attributed to the mechanism of injury. With due consideration to the limitations of this study, the authors suggest that the treatment plan may require slight modification based on the variation of the fracture pattern. Additional intervention may also be indicated.

Management of Mid-Facial Fracture Complicated by Pseudoaneurysm of Posterior Superior Alveolar Artery.

Facial fractures, particularly mid-facial fractures, can result in various complications, such as functional and esthetic problems. Prompt reconstruction of the fractured bones is crucial for restoring normal anatomy and function and preventing complications. However, such procedures can be complex and carry the risk of potential complications. The authors report the case of a 27-year-old man who underwent open reduction and internal fixation of the left zygomatic complex fracture and reconstruction of the left inferior orbital wall. During the surgery, heavy bleeding from the posterior superior alveolar artery due to a broken bone near the pterygomaxillary region caused a prolonged surgery time and the development of a pseudoaneurysm. The pseudoaneurysm was eventually treated with superselective transcatheter embolization using 25% N-Butyl cyanoacrylate glue. This case highlights the challenges in the management of mid-facial fractures and the potential complications that can arise during surgery, particularly when dealing with the pterygomaxillary region.

Changes in Facial Symmetry Following Computer-Assisted Secondary Correction of Craniofacial Fractures.

OBJECTIVE: For patients without dysfunctions, the main purpose of secondary correction for craniofacial fractures is restoring facial symmetry. Computer-assisted surgery techniques including virtual surgical planning and intraoperative navigation provide the help to restore the bony symmetry as much as possible. The authors retrospectively quantitatively analyzed patients who received computer-assisted secondary correction for craniofacial fractures on facial symmetry pre and postoperation. METHODS: This observational study reviewed the medical records of 17 patients requiring secondary correction for craniofacial fractures. Pre and postoperative computed tomography data were used to quantitatively analyze the changes in facial symmetry and enophthalmos. RESULT: All patients enrolled in this study showed mid-facial asymmetry but without dysfunctions except for enophthalmos, and 5 patients had bone defects in the frontal-temporal area. The corrective surgical techniques were different for each patient according to their specific condition. Virtual surgical planning with or without intraoperative navigation was performed for all patients. Compared with the preoperative condition, their facial symmetry was significantly improved. The maximum discrepancy value between the affected side and the mirrored unaffected side decreased from 8.10 ± 2.69 to 3.74 ± 2.02 mm postoperatively, and the mean discrepancy value decreased from 3.58 ± 1.29 to 1.57 ± 0.68 mm. In addition, the Enophthalmos Index decreased from 2.65 to 0.35 mm. CONCLUSION: This observational study objectively demonstrated that computer-assisted secondary correction for craniofacial fractures can significantly improve facial symmetry. And the authors recommend that virtual surgical planning and intraoperative navigation should be a must step in craniofacial fracture correction.

Virtual Surgical Planning and 3-Dimensional Printing for the Treatment of Zygomaticomaxillary Complex and/or Orbital Fracture.

BACKGROUND: Traditionally, in zygomaticomaxillary complex and orbital fractures, miniplates and titanium orbital mesh are used and adapted intraoperatively, which may cause fatigue of the metal and increase the surgical time. Recently, computer-assisted surgery and 3-dimensional printing enable the surgeon to employ 3-dimensional segmentation and mirroring tools, which mimic the pretraumatized anatomy on which the miniplates and titanium orbital mesh are preoperatively molded to precisely duplicate the orbital volume, enophthalmos, and zygomatic bone position. AIM: To evaluate the results of computer technology using 3-dimensional printing model to prebend miniplates and titanium orbital mesh in the restoration of orbital volume, enophthalmos, and zygomatic bone position in the initial management of patients with zygomaticomaxillary complex and/or orbital fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective clinical study included 10 Iraqi male patients who met the eligibility criteria and subjected to open reduction and internal fixation utilizing virtual surgical planning and a 3-dimensional model to prebend miniplates and titanium orbital mesh as a treatment modality for facial fractures. The data were analyzed according to the orbital volume, enophthalmos, zygomatic bone position, age, gender, etiology of the fracture, and complications. The patients were radiographically followed up with a computed tomography scan at 4 months postoperatively. The statistical analysis was performed using percentages, the mean±SD, Shapiro-Wilk test, Paired t test, One Way Anova, and Independent t test. RESULTS: The age of the patients ranged from 18 to 66 years, with an average of 28.6 years and a SD of±14.5 years. Regarding gender, all patients were males. By utilizing virtual surgical planning and 3-dimentional model to prebend miniplates and titanium orbital mesh and concerning the fracture types, which include the zygomaticomaxillary complex, orbital, and combined fractures, there was no significant difference between the measurement of intact side and 4 months postoperatively in orbital volume, enophthalmos, and zygomatic bone position ( P >0.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that computer-aided techniques, virtual planning, and the use of prebend miniplates and titanium orbital mesh enable anatomically precise reduction and fixation of the orbital, zygomaticomaxillary complex, and combined fractures regarding orbital volume, enophthalmos, and zygomatic bone position.

Characterization of Infraorbital Nerve Sequelae After Orbital Floor or Zygomaticomaxillary Complex Fractures.

INTRODUCTION: Neurological sequelae of infraorbital nerve (ION) lesion 6 months after orbital floor or zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures, associated with initial ION injury, were compared according to the treatment performed and the type of fracture. The topographic and symptomatic sequelae at 6 months were described. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with orbital floor or ZMC fracture associated with initial ION injury, between November 2018 and April 2020 and clinically reassessed 6 months after trauma were included. Detailed neurological symptomatology was assessed by a questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 81 patients were included. Forty-two patients (51.8%) showed persistent neurological signs, i.e., isolated hypoesthesia in 28 patients (66.7%), isolated pain in 10 patients (23.8%) and both in 5 patients (9.5%). The most affected area was the cheek (42.8%). Thirty-eight patients (46.9%) presented associated signs, which were intermittent in 78.9% of cases. A pronounced improvement happened for 65.1% of patients and 76.7% were not or only slightly hindered in their daily activities. There were significantly more neurologic symptoms at 6 months in the surgical group than in the observational group and more in the ZMC fracture group than in the orbital floor fracture group. DISCUSSION: Neurological symptomatology was more frequent in patients treated surgically. Our results suggest the interest of a surgical decompression when orbital or ZMC fracture is associated with nerve damage but more data are needed. Neurological injury requires a careful initial clinical evaluation and regular follow-up to help patients coping, painful symptoms may benefit from specialized care.

A Novel Method for Quantitative Three-Dimensional Analysis of Zygomatico-Maxillary Complex Symmetry.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a reliable and accurate method to quantify the symmetry of the zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC). METHODS: Virtual three-dimensional models were created from 53 computed-tomography scans: 15 healthy cases without maxillofacial disorders and 38 patients with ZMC fractures requiring surgical treatment.Asymmetry of the ZMC was measured using a mirroring and surface-based matching technique that uses the anterior cranial fossa as reference to determine the symmetrical position of the ZMC. The measure for ZMC asymmetry was defined as mean surface distance (MSD) between the ZMC-surface and the symmetrical position.Reliability of the method was tested in the 15 healthy cases. Inter-and intra-observer correlation coefficients (Ce) and variabilities were assessed. Accuracy was assessed by comparing ZMC asymmetry between healthy and ZMC fracture cases, and by assessing correlation of ZMC fracture severity with ZMC asymmetry. RESULTS: The average MSD of the 15 healthy cases was 1.40 ± 0.54 mm and the average MSD of the 38 ZMC fracture cases was 2.69 ± 0.95 mm ( P < 0.01). Zygomaticomaxillary complex asymmetry correlated with fracture severity ( P = 0.01). Intra-rater CC was 0.97 with an intra-rater variability of 0.09 ± 0.11 mm. Inter-rater Ce was 0.95 with an inter-rater variability of 0.12 ± 0.13 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Our method is reliable and accurate for quantitative three-dimensional analysis of ZMC-symmetry. It takes into account asymmetry caused by the shape of the ZMC as well as asymmetry caused by the position of the ZMC. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This method is useful for the evaluation of ZMC asymmetry associated with congenital and acquired disorders of craniofacial skeleton, for surgical planning and for evaluation of postoperative results.

The Association of Zygomaticomaxillary Complex Fractures with Naso-Orbitoethmoid Fractures in Pediatric Populations.

BACKGROUND: Naso-orbitoethmoid fractures associated with ipsilateral zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures are more challenging injuries than zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures alone. However, there is a paucity of information on this complex fracture pattern in the pediatric population. This study investigated the cause, treatment, and outcomes of combined zygomaticomaxillary complex and naso-orbitoethmoid fractures versus isolated zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures in pediatric patients. METHODS: This was a 25-year retrospective cohort study of pediatric patients who presented to a single institution with zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures. Baseline patient demographics and clinical information, and concomitant injuries, treatment/operative management, and postoperative complications/deformities were recorded and compared between patients with combined zygomaticomaxillary complex and naso-orbitoethmoid fractures and patients with isolated zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients were identified to have had zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures in the authors' 25-year study period, of whom 46 had adequate clinical documentation and follow-up. Seventeen patients had combined zygomaticomaxillary complex-naso-orbitoethmoid fractures, of whom six had panfacial fractures. Both patient groups (zygomaticomaxillary complex only and combined zygomaticomaxillary complex-naso-orbitoethmoid fractures) were similar in terms of demographics. However, a significantly greater proportion of combined fracture patients experienced postoperative complications compared to isolated zygomaticomaxillary complex fracture patients, even after excluding those with panfacial fractures (87.5 percent versus 35.3 percent; p < 0.001). Enophthalmos (37.5 percent) and midface growth restriction (37.5 percent) were the two most common complications/deformities in all combined fracture patients. CONCLUSIONS: High-impact trauma can lead to zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures with associated naso-orbitoethmoid fractures in children. This injury pattern was found to cause significantly greater postoperative morbidity than isolated zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures alone. Thus, pediatric patients presenting with this complex facial fracture pattern should be closely monitored. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, II.

Rhytidectomy approach for treatment of zygomatic arch fractures.

Comminuted zygomatic arch fractures are a challenge to manage without complete exposure owing to their instability. The presence of facial nerve branches near the bone often means that these fractures are often treated by closed methods or left untreated. The disadvantages of such comminuted fracture left untreated cannot be overemphasised. Hence, there is a need of a surgical approach for exposure and fixation of such fractures without limitation of facial nerve injury. We propose and report a case of malunited comminuted fracture of zygomatic arch using facelift approach.

Extensive Post-Traumatic Surgical Emphysema Exacerbated by Cocaine Insufflation.

Surgical emphysema (SE) is characterized by air in the soft tissues causing a crackling sensation on palpation. In oral and maxillofacial surgery, it might occur using conventional air-driven dental hand pieces, as a complication of trauma and with cocaine insufflation.The subcutaneous air may travel through tissue planes causing cervicofacial emphysema, pneumothorax, and pneumomediastinum. It may carry bacteria and potentially lead to cellulitis or necrotizing fasciitis.The SE is usually a self-limiting entity requiring analgesia, close observation of the airway, occasionally prophylactic antibiotics, and rarely steroids. Although, the consensus on antibiotic and corticosteroid therapy is unclear.Here presented an unusual and extensive presentation of surgical emphysema. A 29 years old male presented with emphysema following a left orbital-zygomatic complex fracture and following intranasal cocaine insufflation. It extended from the temple to the parotid region, down into the neck and into the mediastinum. No surgical intervention was required. The patient was discharged after 24 hours of observation with a week-long course of co-amoxiclav antibiotics and no corticosteroids administration.Typical instructions following facial bone fractures are to avoid nose blowing because of the risk of SE, however, avoidance of drug habits is rarely considered. This case report highlights the importance of tailored advice to this particular patient cohort.

Management of ocular dystopia and lacrimal pathway obstruction in old multiple midfacial fractures: Case report.

Midfacial fracture is discontinuity of the bone affect maxilla, palate, zygomatico-maxillary complex, nasal bones, orbits, nasal-orbital-ethmoid complex, and frontal sinus. Delayed treatment can lead to malunion or nonunion bone. A 28 years old man presented with epiphora of the left eye and upgaze diplopia. There were enophthalmos, hypoglobus of the left eye, flat nasal bridge, and depressed left malar eminence. CT scan examination revealed multiple fractures of left nasal bone, left and right anterolateral wall of maxillary sinuses, left medial orbital wall and orbital floor, and left zygomatic bone. Lacrimal irrigation test showed obstruction of left nasolacrimal duct. He underwent osteotomy and fixation with plate and screw, orbital floor reconstruction with silicone block implant, external dacryocystorhinostomy with silicone tube insertion procedure. In delayed treated malunion of midfacial fracture, fixation with plate and screw after refracture using an osteotome and orbital floor reconstruction with silicone block can be a good option for restoring normal anatomy. External dacryocystorhinostomy with silicone tube insertion is an effective treatment for post traumatic nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

[Paradoxical arterial gas embolism following a direct incisive injury to the skull]. / Embolismo arterial gaseoso paradojico tras una herida incisa craneal directa.

INTRODUCTION: An arterial gas embolism is defined as the presence of air in the arterial circulation. This is an extremely rare cause of stroke that has been described in a multitude of clinical scenarios, generally related to iatrogenic processes. A clinical case is reported in which the arterial gas embolism occurred after a traumatic brain injury, and the most relevant aspects of diagnosis and aetiopathogenesis are reviewed. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 52-year-old woman with an open craniofacial wound resulting from an attack with an axe. The initial CT scan found fractures in the left zygomatic, sphenoidal and maxillary arches, as well as pneumocephalus in the cavernous sinuses and the right carotid canal. One hour later, the patient showed a neurological deficit in the right hemisphere, and so a new cranial computed tomography scan with multimodal vascular study was urgently requested, which revealed the mobilisation of the pneumocephalus and ruled out a large vessel arterial occlusion. A shunt study using transcranial Doppler and echocardiography showed the presence of a patent foramen ovale to be the cause of arteriovenous communication that justified an arterial gas embolism. The follow-up CT scan at 48 hours confirmed the appearance of a right parietal ischaemic lesion. CONCLUSION: This case reflects the simultaneous presence of air in the arterial and venous circulation of the brain, as well as the peripheral communication through a patent foramen ovale. This production mechanism is poorly documented in the literature.

TITLE: Embolismo arterial gaseoso paradojico tras una herida incisa craneal directa.Introduccion. El embolismo arterial gaseoso se define como la presencia de aire en la circulacion arterial. Se trata de una causa extremadamente rara de ictus que se ha descrito en multitud de escenarios clinicos, generalmente relacionados con procesos yatrogenos. Se aporta un caso clinico en el que el embolismo arterial gaseoso sucedio tras un traumatismo craneoencefalico, y se revisan los aspectos mas relevantes del diagnostico y la etiopatogenia. Caso clinico. Mujer de 52 años que presentaba herida incisa craneofacial tras una agresion con un hacha. La tomografia computarizada inicial objetivo fractura en los arcos cigomatico, esfenoidal y maxilar izquierdos, asi como neumoencefalo en los senos cavernosos y el canal carotideo derecho. Una hora mas tarde, la paciente mostro un deficit neurologico hemisferico derecho, por lo que se solicito de forma urgente una nueva tomografia computarizada craneal con estudio vascular multimodal, que objetivo la movilizacion del neumoencefalo y descarto una oclusion arterial de gran vaso. Un estudio de shunt mediante Doppler transcraneal y ecocardiografia comprobo la presencia de un foramen oval permeable como causa de comunicacion arteriovenosa que justificaba un embolismo arterial gaseoso. La tomografia computarizada de control a las 48 horas confirmo la aparicion de una lesion isquemica parietal derecha. Conclusion. En este caso queda reflejada la presencia simultanea de aire en la circulacion cerebral arterial y venosa y la comunicacion periferica a traves de un foramen oval permeable. Este mecanismo de produccion esta escasamente documentado en la bibliografia.

Prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in male patients with surgically treated maxillary and zygomatic fractures

Background: Midface fractures can cause airway obstruction and breathing disturbances. The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence of undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among patients with surgically treated maxillary and zygomatic fractures. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 44 patients who had undergone surgical treatment of maxillary or zygomatic fractures between Jan. 1, 2003, and Dec. 31, 2013 at a single centre. All participants underwent polygraphy testing and were asked to complete the STOP (snoring, tiredness, observed apnea and high blood pressure) questionnaire, Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale and Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Results: There were 27 participants (61%) with maxillary fracture and 17 (39%) with zygomatic fracture. Obstructive sleep apnea was diagnosed in 24 (54%) of the 44 participants, of whom 15 (62%) had maxillary fractures and 9 (38%) had zygomatic fractures. Participants with OSA had a mean Apnea­Hypopnea Index (AHI) of 15.5 (standard deviation [SD] 9.7) events/h, compared to 2.4 (SD 1.5) events/h for those without OSA (p < 0.001). Of the 30 participants with nose obstruction, 18 (60%) had an AHI of 5 or greater. Conclusion: The results suggest that the prevalence of OSA was higher in surgical patients with midface fractures, independent of the type of fracture, than in the general population. The NOSE scale results showed significant correlation with the presence of OSA.

Contexte: Les fractures affectant la portion médiane du visage peuvent provoquer une obstruction des voies respiratoires et gêner la respiration. La présente étude avait pour but de déterminer la prévalence de l'apnée obstructive du sommeil (AOS) non diagnostiquée chez des patients ayant été traités chirurgicalement pour des fractures du maxillaire et de l'os zygomatique. Méthodes: Nous avons analysé rétrospectivement les dossiers médicaux de 44 patients ayant subi un traitement chirurgical pour une fracture du maxillaire ou de l'os zygomatique entre le 1er janvier 2003 et le 31 décembre 2013 dans un seul établissement. Tous les participants ont subi un test polygraphique et ont été invités à répondre aux questionnaires STOP (snoring, tiredness, observed apnea et high blood pressure), NOSE (Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation), de même qu'à l'échelle de somnolence d'Epworth. Résultats: Vingt-sept participants (61 %) avaient subi une fracture du maxillaire et 17 (39 %) de l'os zygomatique. L'AOS a été diagnostiquée chez 24 participants sur 44 (54 %), dont 15 (62 %) avaient subi une fracture du maxillaire et 9 (38 %) une fracture de l'os zygomatique. Les participants qui présentaient une AOS avaient un indice d'apnée-hypopnée (IAH) moyen de 15,5 (écart-type [É.-T.] 9,7) événements/h, contre 2,4 (É.-T. 1,5) événement/h pour les participants indemnes d'ASO (p < 0,001). Parmi les 30 participants qui avaient une obstruction nasale, 18 (60 %) avaient un IAH de 5 ou plus. Conclusion: Ces résultats donnent à penser que la prévalence de l'AOS était plus élevée chez les patients opérés pour une fracture affectant la portion médiane du visage (indépendamment du type de fracture) que dans la population générale. Les résultats au questionnaire NOSE ont montré une corrélation significative avec la présence d'AOS.

Quantitative assessment of symmetry recovery in navigation-assisted surgical reduction of zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of surgical navigation in zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fracture reduction. ZMC symmetry was assessed quantitatively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample comprised 25 patients who underwent surgical reduction of comminuted ZMC fractures. They were divided into two groups according to the use of surgical navigation. Reduction outcomes were evaluated using three-dimensional computed tomography models. Five pairs of landmarks were identified on all craniofacial models, and asymmetry scores were calculated based on their coordinates. In quantitative analyses, symmetry and orbital volume were compared between groups. RESULTS: All patients recovered uneventfully. Greater symmetry was observed in the navigation group than in the control group for three of the five pairs of landmarks (p < 0.05). Although postoperative volumes of the injured orbits were similar between the two groups (p > 0.05), reduced orbital volumes were larger in the navigation group, indicating better restoration of the fractured orbits (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of surgical navigation can increase postoperative symmetry of the bilateral ZMC. The quantitative evaluation of clinical outcomes is precise and highly reliable.

Assessment of Infraorbital Hypesthesia Following Orbital Floor and Zygomaticomaxillary Complex Fractures Using a Novel Sensory Grading System.

PURPOSE: Introduction of a novel sensory grading system to assess the incidence and long-term recovery of infraorbital hypesthesia following orbital floor and inferior orbital rim fractures. METHODS: Patients who presented for evaluation of orbital floor and/or zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures between January 2015 and April 2016 were analyzed. Two-point subjective infraorbital sensory grading in 5 discrete anatomic areas was performed. Fractures were repaired based on traditional criteria; hypesthesia was not an indication for surgery. The sensory grading system was repeated a mean 21.7 months (range 18-28) after initial fracture. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients (mean 41.8 years) participated in the initial symptom grading, and 42 patients (67.7%) completed the 2-year follow-up. Overall, 20 of 42 patients (47.6%) had some infraorbital hypesthesia. There were fewer with isolated orbital floor fractures versus ZMC fractures (31.8% vs. 68.4%; p = 0.019). Two years postinjury, 9.1% and 40.0% with isolated floor and ZMC fractures, respectively, had persistent sensory disturbance (p = 0.0188). Of patients with sensory disturbance on presentation, 71.4% with isolated floor fractures and 38.5% with ZMC fractures experienced complete sensory recovery (p = 0.1596). Patients with isolated floor fractures had improved recovery after surgery (100% vs. 33.3% recovery; p = 0.0410). Patients with ZMC fractures showed no difference in sensory prognosis between those repaired and observed. CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study, isolated orbital floor fractures carried a good infraorbital sensory prognosis, further improved by surgical repair. Zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures portended a worse long-term sensory outcome, unaffected by management strategy. This study validates the novel sensory grading system in post-fracture analysis.

Coincidence of craniocerebral and craniofacial injuries.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of craniocerebral injuries in patients who experienced upper facial or midfacial traumas associated with the disorders of consciousness. To find which types of craniofacial traumas predisposed to craniocerebral injuries. To analyze a relationship between the site of the force application and the type of resultant craniocerebral injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 3,481 patients with upper facial and midfacial traumas. All 425 patients with craniofacial traumas and disorders of consciousness at the time of the event or hospital admission, were qualified for computed tomography (CT) of the head. RESULTS: In 85/425 patients (20%), 70 men and 15 women (age 14-71 years), craniofacial trauma coincided with a craniocerebral injury. Upper facial dislocation and zygomatic-orbital-maxillary complex fracture significantly more often co-existed with skull, dura mater or cranial nerve injuries, and zygomatico-orbital fracture with the injuries of the brain. Application of force both centrally and laterally to the horizontal plane predisposed to skull, dura mater and cranial nerve injuries. CONCLUSION: The recommendation to perform head CT in each patient with craniofacial trauma who experienced the disorders of consciousness is as simple as possible, yet provides high diagnostic sensitivity, facilitating proper management at initial stages post-injury.

Cervical spine fractures associated with maxillofacial trauma: A 3-year-long study in the Greek population.

BACKGROUND: Maxillofacial fractures have been recognized as high risk trauma for concomitant cervical spine or spinal cord injury. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of concomitant cervical spine fractures (CSF) in patients with maxillofacial trauma and elucidate their relationship, guiding diagnosis and pointing their implications in maxillofacial trauma repair. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An analysis of 432 patients with maxillofacial fractures, treated at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the "KAT" General Hospital of Attica during a three-year-long period, was conducted to investigate concomitant CSF. RESULTS: 22 patients or 5.1% (14 male/8 female, mean age 39.81 years) sustained a total of 29 concomitant CSF. In 77.3% of the cases the injury mechanism was motor vehicle accidents. The most frequent levels of CSF were C6-C7 (55.17%) and C1-C2 (27.58%). Regarding the type/site of maxillofacial fractures, 5 patients (22.73%) had sustained isolated zygomatoorbital, 5 (22.73%) isolated mandibular and 12 (54.54%) combined fractures. Concomitant injuries (i.e. intracranial hemorrhage, cerebral concussion, etc) were registered in 14 patients; additional thoracic/lumbar spine fractures in 5. Hospital stay ranged from 6 to 86 days (mean 27.6 days). CONCLUSIONS: Maxillofacial surgeons should be aware of the relationship between CSF and maxillofacial fractures, having implications in their patients' treatment.

Analysis of Facial Symmetry After Zygomatic Bone Fracture Management.

PURPOSE: The location of the zygomatic bone plays an important role in facial symmetry and esthetics. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the frequency of facial asymmetry in a sample of patients who had undergone treatment of unilateral zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures (study group) and a sample of patients without ZMC fracture (control group). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective controlled cross-sectional study. The primary predictor variable was the type of ZMC fracture (linear or comminuted). The primary outcome variable was facial asymmetry characterized by the bilateral difference in the position of the malar eminence (ME) in 3 dimensions based on computed tomographic images. The other variables for this study were classified as demographic (age and gender) and anatomic (side of ZMC fracture). Descriptive and bivariate statistics were computed. Statistical significance was set at a P value less than .05 with 95% reliability. RESULTS: The entire sample consisted of 134 patients (n = 67 per group). The mean bilateral difference of the ME position in the study group was markedly greater than in the control group. More than half the study patients had facial symmetry and almost 10% of them had marked asymmetry, whereas none of the control patients had marked asymmetry. All patients with marked asymmetry and approximately 70% of them with greater than maximum normal asymmetry had a comminuted fracture. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that although the frequency of facial asymmetry in patients with ZMC fracture was higher than in the control patients, it was found in all patients to a certain extent. Patients' awareness of this fact can decrease their dissatisfaction.

Retroseptal transconjunctival approach for fractures of the zygomaticomaxillary complex: a retrospective study.

We designed a retrospective study to evaluate the efficacy of retroseptal transconjunctival approaches in the management of fractures of the zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC). The patients were from a single institution, and had had three-point fixation of fractures of the ZMC between 2008 and 2016. A total of 77 patients (56 men and 21 women with a mean (range) age of 28 (18-54) years), were divided into two groups. Group I (n=51) had had reduction and fixation of the infraorbital rim using a retroseptal transconjunctival approach. In group II (n=26) the same approach had been used with lateral canthotomy and inferior canthlolysis for both the infraorbital rim and the zygomaticofrontal region. We analysed the association of both approaches with the outcomes of reduction, fixation, and complications. Suboptimal results were found in 13 patients in group I and one in group II (p=0.017). There were also three patients with trichiasis and two with entropion in group I, and one each of both complications in group II. There was only one patient with a malopposed lateral canthus in group II. All 26 patients in group II had no perceptible scar along the extended line of incision. The risk of a suboptimal outcome was reduced by 20% (relative risk=0.8) in group II. The retroseptal transconjunctival approach with lateral canthotomy and inferior cantholysis is safe, aesthetic, and effective in the management of fractures of the ZMC.

Use of a Balloon Catheter With Intraoperative C-Arm Fluoroscan for Reduction of Zygomatic Arch Fractures.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of C-arm fluoroscan with a balloon catheter in patients undergoing closed reduction of zygomatic arch fractures. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: All patients who had zygomatic arch reduction surgery between 2006 and 2015 were identified and classified into 2 groups. Group A included those patients who underwent closed reduction of zygomatic arch fractures. Group B included those who underwent zygomatic arch reduction surgery with a C-arm fluoroscan and supporting balloon. A balloon catheter was used to stabilize the zygomatic bone after reduction. Results were scored from 1 (poor) to 3 (good) to assess surgical outcomes based on 3 criteria: alignment of the zygomatic arch on a postoperative computed tomography scan, facial asymmetry in photography, and the patient's subjective satisfaction. RESULTS: The authors enrolled 32 patients with zygomatic arch fractures. 18 patients underwent closed reduction for zygomatic arch fractures (group A), while 14 patients underwent closed reduction with C-arm fluoroscan and balloon support (group B). The average score for group A was 2.00 for alignment, 2.56 for facial asymmetry, and 2.67 for subjective satisfaction compared with 2.64 for alignment, 2.86 for facial asymmetry, and 2.79 for subjective satisfaction in group B. There were statistically significant differences in the alignment and facial asymmetry scores between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: The authors suggest that C-arm fluoroscan with balloon support is a useful modality for reduction of zygomatic arch fractures that provides better surgical outcomes than conventional closed reduction surgery.

Does Dexamethasone Facilitate Neurosensory Function Regeneration After Zygomatic Fracture? A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: This study sought to clarify the rate of neurosensory disturbance (NSD) after zygomatic complex fractures in general, as well as the effect of perioperatively administered dexamethasone on neurosensory recovery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a single-blinded randomized study aiming to clarify the benefits of perioperative dexamethasone after surgery. The patients were randomly assigned either to receive dexamethasone (up to a total dose of 10 or 30 mg) or to act as control patients (no glucocorticoid treatment). The outcome variable was NSD, the presence of which was established when patients had any sensory disturbance of the infraorbital nerve. Other predictor variables included in the analysis were age, gender, time span from accident to surgery, surgical approach to the fracture line, and relation of the fracture to the infraorbital foramen. The statistical significance of associations was evaluated with χ2 tests. RESULTS: We included 64 patients in the analyses. Of the patients in the dexamethasone group (either 10 or 30 mg), 58.3% had NSD at 6 months postoperatively, whereas in the control group, 66.7% of the patients had NSD. This finding was not statistically significant (P = .565). At the 1-month interval, the patients without a fracture through the infraorbital foramen had less NSD (P = .009); this finding was not significant at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Age, gender, injury mechanism, surgical approach, and time span from accident to surgery were not significant predictors of NSD. In total, 64.4% of the patients still had NSD at 6 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed no benefits of short-term, high-dose dexamethasone administration in the neurosensory recovery of patients with zygomatic complex fractures. The type of primary trauma is the main cause of NSD, but the precise predictors remain unknown.