Background and objective: The zygoma has an intimate association with the orbit and therefore ZMC fractures are almost always associated with fractures of the internal orbit. The aim of the study was to assess the orbital volume changes and evaluate the post surgical outcome in zygoma fracture patients using CT scan Methodology: A total of 24 patients with ZMC fractures were included in the study who underwent a CT scan preoperatively.
The volumes of the traumatised and normal orbits were calculated for every patient and the difference was noted as orbital volume change. The amount of enophthalmos was measured by calculating the distance between the corneal and orbital apices on the injured side and was compared with that of the uninjured side. The relationship between clinical enophthalmos and
orbital volume was assessed. Postoperatively after 6 months, the patients were subjected to a second CT scan to assess for the reestablishment of globe positions and orbital volumes.
Results: An increase in the orbital volumes in the preoperative phase with a mean percentage change of 9.70 ± 3.36 cm³ was noted. The P value of mean volume difference between the affected and control orbits was significant. The orbital volumes which showed a significant increase were reestablished in the postoperative period. However, no corelation could be demonstrated between the orbital volume change and the amount of enophthalmos.
Conclusion: Our study concludes that ZMC fractures increase orbital volumes on the affected side which can be restored by appropriate surgical means.