[Mini-plate osteosynthesis in zygomatic fractures--restoration or alternative?]

At the University ENT Clinic Frankfurt 105 patients with zygomatic fractures were treated from 1980 until 1986: 45 were treated with a maxillary sinus stent, part of them in combination with wire osteosynthesis, miniplate osteosynthesis was performed in 30 patients, some fractures seemed stable after reposition without fixation. The zygomatic fractures are classified into 3 types requiring different surgical treatments. Comparing the long term results of these methods with the pre- and postoperative radiological and functional data, patients with type 2 and 3 fractures do better with miniplate osteosynthesis than with the other treatments. In combination with an orbital floor fracture, the degree of enophthalmus is more severe in those patients where fractures were only repositioned without fixation.