Use of transverse Kirschner wires in comminuted facial fractures

Although most facial fractures can be well managed with open reduction and direct wiring of the fracture sites, this treatment is inadequate for some comminuted fractures and further fixation is required. At Charity Hospital in New Orleans transverse Kirschner wires have been routinely used to stabilize the zygoma in these cases. Although this technic has been described previously, its indications, advantages, and limitations are not widely appreciated. Eight recent cases are presented to demonstrate the technic, and alternative methods of treatment are discussed.