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Fracture, Zygoma (ZF), Sports Medicine

Tarek S. Hadla, MD, CAQSM and Holly J. Benjamin, MD, FAAP, FACSM Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

  • Zygoma: main support between the maxilla and the skull 1

  • Composes the lateral wall and floor of the orbit as well as the zygomatic arch

  • Zygoma fracture (ZF) results from blunt trauma to the side ...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Trauma: accident, physical assault, sports (see above)

  • Vision issues:

    • Direct ocular injury or intraorbital hemorrhage

    • Binocular diplopia: 30%

  • Paresthesia of face in equivalent dermatome

  • Pe...

TREATMENT

  • Airway, breathing, circulation (ABCs)

  • 10–50% require no surgical intervention 5.

  • Stable, nondisplaced fractures may be observed weekly for healing.

  • Treat within 10 days if displaced fractures.

  • A...

ONGOING CARE

PATIENT EDUCATION

  • Avoid nose blowing for fear of orbital emphysema and potential blindness.

  • Warn about signs and symptoms of orbital/retrobulbar hemorrhage.

  • Advise patients to call the surge...

REFERENCES

1
Gruss JS, Van Wyck L, Phillips JH, et al. The importance of the zygomatic arch in complex midfacial fracture repair and correction of posttraumatic orbitozygomatic deformities. Plast Recon...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Suspect a ZF if blow to side of the face.

  • Consider coexisting ocular, head, and cervical spine injury.

  • X-ray is used first, but CT is the modality of choice.

  • Tell the patient not to blow ...

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