External Traction Technique for the Adjuvant Treatment of Zygomaticomaxillary Complex Fracture

ABSTRACT

The fixation of zygomaticomaxillary complex fracture is accomplished by the various internal placement of interosseous wiring, miniplates, microplate and even absorbable miniplate across properly reduced fracture lines to resist torsional rotation and masticatory force. However, in cases of comminuted compound fracture which makes zygomaticomaxilary complex fixed unstably, asymmetric malar height due to incomplete intraoperative reduction and predictable re-depression of zygoma postoperatively, we can hardly solve the malar asymmetry only by internal fixation device. So we employ the new external traction device which is made of hard board paper, cast, Steinmman pin, and rubber band. It is easy to make and apply it to the patient and morever, it is a dynamic traction method because it can control of traction force by rubber band and control of traction vector variously depending on degree of placement of fracture segment and fracture location, respectively. And it has less limitation to patient's hospital activity. Whereas it makes tiny traction pain during the traction device applied and the patient can feel uncomfortable head tightness. In summary, The authors' external rubber tration device can be used as a simple and convenient method in combination with internal fixation method in the postoperative management of malar symmetry.