Reduction of Zygomatic Arch Fractures Via Postauricular Approach

ABSTRACT

Zygomatic arch fracture is one of the most commonly seen facial bone fractures and there have been many methods of reduction designed so far. However, for a simple fracture, the Gillies temporal approach is most commonly used because of the easy reducibility, and also because the depressed fracture can be approached without a facial incision. The Gillies temporal approach starts in the temporal area, between the temporalis muscle and deep temporal fascia. We have developed a new route which starts in the postauricular hair margin area and then reaches to the periosteum of the temporal bone. An elevator is then inserted to penetrate the periosteum and subperiosteal dissection is performed toward the zygomatic process of the temporal bone. At the origin of the zygomatic process, the route of dissection changes to the posterior aspect of the zygomatic arch using a curved palate elevator or the authors' modified Langenbeck elevator. This method of approach has been used in 6 cases of zygomatic arch fracture with good results and we report this method along with written reports.