Upper buccal sulcus approach to management of fractures of the zygomatic complex: a retrospective study of 50 cases

A retrospective study was conducted of 50 consecutive cases of fractures of the zygomatic complex reduced by the upper buccal sulcus approach. All were treated successfully with simple elevation (n =38), elevation with intraoral plating at the zygomatic buttress (n =8), or extraoral placement of bone plates (n =4). In no case was the approach deemed unsuitable, or abandoned in favour of another technique. There was minimal morbidity (one case each of mild diplopia, trismus, and swelling, all of which settled spontaneously). The upper buccal sulcus approach is a safe, rapid and effective technique for the reduction of zygomatic body and arch fractures.