Pilot study demonstrates functional recovery in patients with orbitozygomatic fractures using an intraoral approach, suggesting its feasibility.
Introduction Fractures of the middle third of the face are relatively common, and their management may significantly affect not only masticatory function but also facial symmetry and aesthetics. The selection of less invasive surgical approaches has gained increasing attention across surgical specialties, including facial surgery. The intraoral approach is considered scar-free and allows adequate exposure of the fracture site. Materials and Methods This pilot study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of open reduction of orbitozygomatic–maxillary fractures using an intraoral approach in patients with displaced fractures, focusing on functional recovery over a six-month follow-up period. Assessments were performed using computed tomography (CT), three-dimensional stereophotogrammetry (3DS), electromyography (EMG), bite force analysis, and maximum mouth opening measurements. Results A total of 20 patients were enrolled and divided into two groups: intervention and control. The intraoral approach demonstrated satisfactory outcomes in terms of facial symmetry restoration (The facial symmetry measurements were similar between the evaluated groups), bite-force (at the six-month postoperative follow-up, bite force values were 243 N on the right side and 216 N on the left side), recovery and fixation stability at the six-month follow-up. Patients showed clinical improvement in signs and symptoms; however, due to the limited sample size, statistical significance could not be established. Conclusion Further studies with larger sample sizes are required to confirm these findings. This pilot study suggests that the intraoral incision is a reliable and feasible technique for the exposure of orbitozygomatic–maxillary fractures, enabling adequate fracture reduction and single-point fixation.
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Spagnol et al. (2026) studied this question.
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