ABSTRACT
Specific anatomic landmarks of the zygomatic arch and their influence of the inner facial frame was discussed, and basing the diagnosis on axial CT scans was recommended. The authors stated that the only way to safely expose the entire zygomatic arch was through an extended coronal incision. A total of 317 zygomatic arches exposed by coronal incisions for acute trauma during the period 1979 to 1987, taken from a group of 964 patients treated at their regional trauma centre. Of these, 47 patients had zygomatic arch exposure via a coronal incision for secondary reconstruction of post-traumatic deformities. A classification of the zygomatic arch fractures separate to the body fracture was proposed together with a treatment protocol derived from this descriptive classification system. For orbitozygomatic fractures, it was suggested that isolated arch fractures and minimally displaced body fractures can be managed with standard techniques.
