Retrospective Study for Intraoral Approach for Zygomaticomaxillary Complex and Orbital Floor Fracture

Traditional surgical approaches for zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) and orbital floor (OF) fractures, such as transconjunctival or transcutaneous routes, carry risks of visible scarring and other complications, prompting the exploration of alternative techniques as the intraoral approach. This study hypothesizes that the intraoral approach can achieve comparable clinical outcomes to traditional methods while reducing complications associated with external incisions.

This retrospective study analyzed the outcomes of ZMC or OF fracture surgeries performed between January 2013 and September 2023. It compared the intraoral method, utilizing techniques such as customized ballooning by using contrast agents, against traditional approaches involving external incisions. The study focused on clinical outcomes, including operation time, hospitalization period, and postoperative complications.

The study included 34 patients with mid-face fractures, comparing those treated with the intraoral approach (25 patients) with those treated through traditional methods (9 patients). Findings showed no significant differences in operation times ( P = 0.392) or hospitalization durations ( P = 0.225) between the approaches. The intraoral approach resulted in fewer instances of enophthalmos and other complications related to periorbital tissue disruption.

The intraoral approach for managing OF and ZMC fractures offers a viable alternative to traditional surgical methods, maintaining similar clinical outcomes while potentially reducing the risk of aesthetic and functional complications.