Proactive Surgical Management and Outcomes of Unilateral Zygomaticomaxillary Complex Fractures in Major Trauma Patients: A National Level I Center Experience.

Abstract

Objective: Managing facial trauma in patients with severe polytrauma presents significant challenges due to competing priorities, poor systemic conditions, and delayed surgical timing. At a national level I trauma center, the authors evaluated the feasibility and outcomes of proactive surgical intervention for unilateral zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures in severe trauma patients.

Methods: This retrospective study included 81 patients with unilateral ZMC fractures treated at a regional level I trauma center between October 2019 and August 2021. Patients were categorized into high and low trauma severity groups based on the injury severity score (ISS). Three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography analyses were performed to evaluate surgical outcomes, including dimensional distances (Dx, Dy, and Dz) and the Asymmetry Index.

Results: Of the 81 patients, 52 underwent surgical intervention. No significant differences were observed in 3D distances (Dx, Dy, and Dz) between the high and low ISS groups, both preoperatively and postoperatively. However, postoperative symmetry was superior in the high ISS group ( P < 0.010). The average delay from injury to surgery was slightly longer in the high ISS group (8.69 versus 7.35 d, P = 0.248). Complications such as diplopia and paresthesia were more common in the high ISS group, but no significant differences in overall complication rates were observed between the groups.

Conclusion: Proactive surgical management of unilateral ZMC fractures in major trauma patients is effective. Despite the systemic challenges in this population, timely intervention resulted in superior postoperative symmetry in the high ISS group and comparable 3D outcomes across trauma severities.