A reevaluation of the indications for orbital rim fixation and orbital floor exploration in zygomatic complex fractures.

Abstract

At the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery meeting in Washington, DC, September 23, 1988, Kevin Shumrick, MD, University of Cincinnati (Ohio) School of Medicine, and coworkers presented a discussion of their experience with orbital rim fixation and orbital floor explorations. Dr. Shumrick reported that in their experience the majority of zygomatic-maxillary complex fracture complications arise from the exploration of the orbital rim and floor. The majority of zygomatic-maxillary complex fractures are currently being repaired with fixation of the orbital rim and exploration of the orbital floor. This provides two- to four-point fixation and does not address the zygomaticomaxillary buttress suture. It does require an incision on the lower eyelid, which may lead to ectropion. Dr. Shumrick advocates using miniplate fixation on the zygomaticomaxillary buttress and wire fixation of the zygomaticofrontal suture. The first part of a two-part study was a retrospective study analyzing 33 patients. The second