title: Transconjunctival approach to the zygomatico-frontal limb of orbitozygomatic complex fractures.
abstract: Fractures of the orbitozygomatic complex represent one of the most common injuries of the facial skeleton. Repair of the fractures often requires multiple surgical access points and the necessity for skin incisions. As surgeons attuned to aesthetics, we strive to minimize the signs of injury and treatment. We propose an approach designed to treat orbitozygomatic fractures without the use of skin incisions. The objective of this article is to outline the surgical technique designed by the senior author (PRL) to address the zygomatico-frontal fracture component of orbitozygomatic complex fractures through an upper lid lateral transconjunctival approach. Relevant anatomy and technique is described. The combination of previously described lower lid transconjunctival and gingivobuccal sulcus incisions with this new upper lid lateral transconjunctival approach provides adequate access for rigid fixation of all major components of orbitozygomatic fractures without skin incisions.
authors.affiliation: The Langsdon Clinic, Germantown, Tennessee 38138, USA.
authors.forename: Phillip R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Langsdon
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Knipe
authors.forename: W Stites
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Whatley
authors.forename: Thomas H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Costello
mesh_terms: D005624:Frontal Bone / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D009917:Orbital Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D015051:Zygomatic Fractures / Q000601:surgery*