Background: The correction of many craniofacial malformations requires the improvement and stabilization of the midface area. In this article, we present a simple surgical technique for improving and correcting the orbitozygomatic area. This technique is called zygomatic sagittal split osteotomy (ZSSO).
Methods: Between September 2003 and June 2008, we performed ZSSO on 12 patients. The technique is described in the article. We performed a clinical evaluation of the technique using the following criteria: postsurgical complications, loss of stability, and sagittal prominence. In addition, a radiologic evaluation was performed on axial computed tomographic images. We considered a 1-year follow-up.
Results: We performed 15 ZSSO procedures. No evidence of postsurgical complications, loss of stability, or sagittal prominence was reported during the 1-year follow-up.
Conclusions: Zygomatic sagittal split osteotomy is a simple surgical technique to be used in the correction and stabilization of the midface area. It can be performed without using graft or osteodistraction device.