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A rare complication of reduction malarplasty
Joon Seok Lee1, Jeong Woo Lee, Jung Dug Yang
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
|January 23, 2015
Summary
This report details a rare case of bursitis, a complication following reduction malarplasty. Surgical intervention successfully resolved the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) swelling and clicking in a young male patient.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Medical Case Reports
Background:
- Reduction malarplasty is a cosmetic surgical procedure to reduce the prominence of the cheekbones.
- Complications, though rare, can occur after such procedures, necessitating thorough investigation and management.
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) related issues can arise post-operatively, impacting patient function and comfort.
Observation:
- A 21-year-old male presented with left temporomandibular joint (TMJ) mass-like swelling and clicking 5 months after undergoing reduction malarplasty and two-jaw surgery.
- Diagnostic imaging, including ultrasonography and 3D CT, suggested a possible temporomandibular joint (TMJ) capsule injury.
- Surgical exploration and biopsy were performed to investigate the persistent swelling and discomfort.
Findings:
- Biopsy results confirmed the excised cystic mass to be bursitis.
- The bursitis was identified as a rare complication subsequent to the reduction malarplasty procedure.
- Removal of surgical hardware was performed concurrently with the mass excision.
Implications:
- This case highlights bursitis as a previously unreported complication of reduction malarplasty.
- Early diagnosis and surgical management can effectively treat this rare complication.
- Awareness among surgeons is crucial for recognizing and managing similar post-operative temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues.

