The use of the foley balloon catheter in zygomatic-arch fractures

Use of a Balloon Catheter With Intraoperative C-Arm Fluoroscan for Reduction of Zygomatic Arch Fractures

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of C-arm fluoroscan with a balloon catheter in patients undergoing closed reduction of zygomatic arch fractures.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

All patients who had zygomatic arch reduction surgery between 2006 and 2015 were identified and classified into 2 groups. Group A included those patients who underwent closed reduction of zygomatic arch fractures. Group B included those who underwent zygomatic arch reduction surgery with a C-arm fluoroscan and supporting balloon. A balloon catheter was used to stabilize the zygomatic bone after reduction. Results were scored from 1 (poor) to 3 (good) to assess surgical outcomes based on 3 criteria: alignment of the zygomatic arch on a postoperative computed tomography scan, facial asymmetry in photography, and the patient's subjective satisfaction.

RESULTS

The authors enrolled 32 patients with zygomatic arch fractures. 18 patients underwent closed reduction for zygomatic arch fractures (group A), while 14 patients underwent closed reduction with C-arm fluoroscan and balloon support (group B). The average score for group A was 2.00 for alignment, 2.56 for facial asymmetry, and 2.67 for subjective satisfaction compared with 2.64 for alignment, 2.86 for facial asymmetry, and 2.79 for subjective satisfaction in group B. There were statistically significant differences in the alignment and facial asymmetry scores between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSION

The authors suggest that C-arm fluoroscan with balloon support is a useful modality for reduction of zygomatic arch fractures that provides better surgical outcomes than conventional closed reduction surgery.

Stabilization of the Isolated Zygomatic Arch Fracture Using Foley's Balloon Catheter

Zygomatic fractures are the most common facial fractures or second in frequency after the nasal fractures. The high incidence of zygomatic fractures probably relates to its prominent position in the facial skeleton hence it is frequently exposed to fractures. This case report presents an isolated zygomatic arch fracture that was been reduced by Gille's temporal approach and stabilized using foley's balloon catheter.

Epistaxis balloon catheter stabilization of zygomatic arch fractures

Isolated zygomatic arch fractures represent about 10% of facial fractures. Most are easily reduced, but about 7% require fixation. Stabilization with plates, transcutaneous wiring, and various packing materials may involve additional morbidity and other drawbacks. A double balloon epistaxis catheter may be inserted beneath the arch fracture site and inflated for 5 to 7 days as a relatively simple, reliable alternative that involves minimal morbidity.

A splint for the unstable zygomatic arch fracture

A case report is presented in which circumferential wires tied over a short length of anaesthetic tubing on the face were used for the fixation of an unstable fracture of the zygomatic arch.