Background: Zygomatico-maxillary complex (ZMC) fracture usually occur in the setting of severe facial trauma. Proper
reduction of such fracture is important for achieving good aesthetic and functional result. The patient usually presents with
facial swelling and the fracture could be isolated or associated with other facial fractures, ocular or intracranial injury.
Methods: a prospective study was conducted on 32 patients with ZMC fracture without concomitant maxillofacial fractures.
The lateral orbital wall was used as the main reference for proper reduction. The results were evaluated subjectively by the
degree of regain of malar prominence, and facial symmetry.
Results: proper reduction with excellent and good results was achieved in 25 and 7 patients, respectively. None of our patients
had fair or poor results.
Conclusion: We found that the lateral orbital wall is a useful index for assessment of proper reduction in term of degree of
displacement and rotation of the zygomatic bone.