Correction of zygoma and zygomatic arch protrusion in East Asian individuals.

[OBJECTIVE] Prominent zygoma is commonly seen in the East Asian population with the clinical characteristics of anteriorly and/or laterally projected zygoma and zygomatic arch resulting in an increased midfacial width. The esthetic surgical modification of zygoma is one of the major aspects of facial-contouring surgery in certain parts of the world. This article aims to evaluate the effectiveness of various surgical methods for reducing the prominent zygoma so as to obtain a harmonious and natural facial contour.

[METHODS] Surgical approaches, such as zygomatic complex shaving, I-shaped osteotomy, L-shaped osteotomy, and C-shaped osteotomy were used according to the clinical characteristics of zygoma and zygomatic arch protrusion. The corrective effectiveness was then evaluated through cephalometric radiographs, 3D-CT, and pre- and postsurgical standard facial photographs.

[RESULTS] The zygoma and zygomatic arch protrusion was effectively corrected resulting in improved facial contours in all cases postoperatively. The postoperative period was uneventful except for the slight limitation in mouth opening, which recovered fully after mouth-opening exercises. Serious complications, such as facial nerve injury, were not witnessed in our study.

[CONCLUSIONS] Malar reduction is an effective and a safe method for the treatment of prominent zygoma. The selection of surgical procedure should be based on different presenting characteristics of zygoma and zygomatic arch protrusion. The correction of prominent zygoma should be designed well, performed precisely, and observed carefully to avoid severe complications so as to achieve a harmonious facial contour.