A comparison of one point versus two point fixation in the management of zygomatico-maxillary complex fractures

Abstract

The zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures are highly frequent injuries. There is a variety of operative techniques for fixation of ZMC fractures, with no consensus about the best technique. We aim to compare one-point versus two-point fixation of tripodal zygomatic fractures. This study was carried out on 34 patients admitted to the trauma unit in Sanjay Gandhi Institute of Trauma and Orthopaedics in the period from September 2022 to August 2023. Patients were divided into two groups (group 1; one-point fixation, and group 2; two- point fixation). When compared to the one-point fixation group, only 14 patients had substantial stability with a P-value of <0.05 being statistically significant. In contrast, nearly all patients in the two-point fixation group had higher stability. In the two-point fixation group, nearly all patients had a post-operative scar; in the one-point fixation group, however, only two patients had the same scar, and the mouth opening was also improved. In two-point fixation, paraesthesia was observed in nearly seven patients, while in one-point fixation, it was present in only two patients.The one-point fixation technique for tripodal ZMC fractures is considered effective as the two-point fixation technique; and it offers advantages of scarless operation, reduced operation time, fewer complications, and lower cost.