Stabilisation of the unstable fractured zygomatic arch with a ballooned foley catheter

Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014 Jan;66(Suppl 1):320-2. doi: 10.1007/s12070-011-0448-7. Epub 2012 Jan 5.

Abstract

The zygomatic arch fracture is one of the most common facial bone fractures. Especially the isolated zygomatic arch fracture is usually repaired via Gillies' approach. But in the case of unstable zygomatic arch fracture, we need an additional step for stabilising the unstable zygomatic arch segment after repositioning the fractured segment. For the stabilising method we use the ballooned Foley catheter on the medial side of the zygomatic arch in the zygomaticotemporal fossa. This method is of assistance to the patient who has a zygomatic arch fracture with comminution or an old patient with weak and torn periosteum. In this study, we achieved a good result and we will introduce this simple method as one of alternatives of stabilising tool.

Keywords: Foley catheter; Zygomatic arch fracture.