The zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) is a major buttress of the midfacial skeleton. The ZMC is important to structural, functional, and aesthetic appearances of the facial skeleton. A ZMC fracture is also known as a tripod, tetrapod, or quadripod fracture, trimalar fracture or malar fracture [1,2]. Management of ZMC fractures is a frequent challenge in plastic surgery. The surgical approach is devised based on the findings from the physical examination and imaging studies. Adequate exposure and mobilization of the fracture fragments are critical for ensuring appropriate anatomical reduction. In this article, we reviewed various reduction methods and instruments and discussed fracture types and reduction methods. We also reviewed one point fixation of various areas, various two point fixation methods, and a three point fixation method in the literature. We then reviewed our cases over 10 years according to fracture type and fixation methods.

The review identified 694 patients who were admitted for zygomatic fractures from which 192 patients with simple arch fractures were excluded. The remaining 502 patients consisted of 439 males and 63 females, and total 532 zygomatic bone was operated. Most patients were injured in traffic accidents followed by slip down and assault. Orbital fracture was the most common associated fracture (Table 1). According to the Knight and North classification the most frequent fracture was group IV, followed by group III, V, and VI (Table 2). When reduction of the fracture segment was stable, one point was fixated with plate and screws. Most fractures were fixated at two points (72.9%). Unstable fracture after reduction was fixated at three points with plates and screws (Table 3). The fracture sites were approached via subcilliary incision, lateral eyebrow incision, superior gingivobuccal approach and coronal incision (Table 4). Immediate postoperative and follow up radiographic studies were also satisfactory in most patients.

The most common indication for surgery in ZMC fractures is displacement and rotation, and most displaced ZMC fractures should be treated surgically. If reduction is not performed properly, facial asymmetry will be prominent, as the result of lowering the malar prominent point [2]. For this reason, precise anatomical reduction is very important. In the formal procedure, the elevator is placed under the body through a lateral eyebrow incision and used to control the position of the body and to reduce it by upward, forward, and outward forces. Three-dimensional displacement usually occurs in ZMC fracture, meaning that malar eminence can be displaced into medial-lateral, superior-inferior, and anterior-posterior directions. For this reason, accurate reduction and fixation are possible when counterbalance direction of external force is reduced [4]. However, lateral rotation (group V) or medially severe impact will impede this procedure. In this case, the plate and screw should be used, which will result in easier assembly of the fracture alignment.

Park et al. [5] recently reported on external suspension with Steinmann pin and Kirchner wire after closed reduction. The external pin can cause discomfort for patients and experience of reduction skill is necessary. Kim et al. [6] reported reduction with a tapper using a resorbable plate procedure, the tapper is weak and there is a risk of breakage. Uda et al. [7] introduced closed reduction and internal fixation using a Carroll-Girard screw. This method used a special instrument and a small external incision on the malar eminence. A large bone hook can also be used to reduce the fracture through a small incision at the inferior margin of zygoma [8]. Rinehart et al. [9] proposed 3 point fixation to prevent masseter force. Ahn et al. [10] reduce zygoma with wire and bone hook. Their methods are similar to our methods, however, we reduce with plates and screws which used in fixation, so additional hole of the fracture segment for reduction is not necessary.

Although accurate reduction is important, a large incision and wide dissection can increase operative time and the risk of operative complications. For this reasons, various approaches are used in fixation like conjunctival incision, subcilliary incision, lateral eyebrow incision, superior gingivobuccal approach and coronal incision. Gingivobuccal incision will provide a stable zygomaticomaxillary buttress without an external scar. In this technique, aesthetically malar eminence symmetry is very important when precise reduction is performed on the lateral and inferior orbital rim. Lee et al. [11] and Langsdon et al. [12] used only conjunctival incision without external incision. It can cause some side effects, such as bradycardia, which can be caused by excessive pressure on the eyeball during the procedure. Subciliary incision can cause transient ectropion. However, it can be prevented by preserving the pretarsal portion of orbicularis oculi muscle and nerve innervation with performing layer by layer repair [13]. Many trials have been conducted over the issue of the number of fixation points. Hwang et al. [14] and Mohammadinezhad [15] insisted that one point fixation was enough. In addition, there were significant researches showing that one point or two point fixation method with minimal incision showed satisfactory results [16,17,18]. On the other hand, Choi et al. [19] used 4 point fixation for accurate correction without coronal incision. In our medical center, one or two point fixation is usually performed. Three point fixation is performed if there is unstable fracture or separation of zygomaticofrontal suture, which is more than 2 mm. Zygomaticofrontal suture and inferior orbital rim fixate with a 1.5 mm small plate were used to avoid patient complaint of feeling the plates. At the zygomaticomaxillary buttress, a 2 mm plate was used for prevention of displacement by masseter muscle force.

In high-energy injuries with complex zygomatic fractures, laterally displaced or comminuted zygomatic arch fractures or panfacial fractures, the coronal approach is usually necessary to facilitate realignment through wide exposure. The coronal incision allows exposure of the entire zygomatic arch and roof of the glenoid fossa for precise arch reconstruction. It also exposes the zygomaticofrontalsuture and the lateral orbital wall. The major downside to this approach is the significant morbidity it potentially imparts, including scar alopecia, temporal hollowing from temporal fat pad or temporalis muscle atrophy, paresthesias, facial nerve palsies, malar descent, and displacement of the lateral canthus. For this reason, in our medical center, this approach does not used as far as possible.

The key criterion for reduction is direction of the trauma event. Reduction with plate and screw can guarantee that there is no additional incision. As I mentioned, many fixation procedures are available, however, a safe and facilitated procedure is the best way.