OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy of computer-navigated surgery and the 3-D skull models and guide plates for the treatment of unilateral delayed zygomatic fractures.

METHODSEleven patients with unilateral delayed zygomatic fractures were treated by computer-navigated surgery (test group) and another 12 patients were treated by 3-D skull models and guide plates as the control group. Quality of reduction was assessed by examination of postoperative axial CT scans through zygomatic arch, the malar prominence and the width of zygomatic arch were measured in both groups.

RESULTSThe difference between bilateral malar prominence was (0.94 ± 0.73) mm in the test group and (1.88 ± 1.82) mm in the control group, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). The difference between bilateral width of zygomatic arch was (0.77 ± 0.51) mm in the test group, less than (3.00 ± 1.81) mm in the control group (P < 0.05). Excessive malar prominence was observed in 6 cases (6/11) in the test group and in 7 cases (7/12) in the control group, whereas malar depression was observed in 5 cases (5/11) in the test group and in 5 cases (5/12) in the control group. Overcorrection of the width of zygomatic arch was observed in 6 cases (6/11) in the test group and in 12 cases (12/12) in the control group, whereas under correction was observed in 5 cases (5/11) in the test group and in 0 cases (0/12) in the control group.

CONCLUSIONSIn the treatment of unilateral delayed zygomatic fractures, symmetry of malar prominence can be achieved by application of computer-navigated surgery or the 3-D skull models and guide plates. Symmetry of the width of zygomatic arch achieved with the computer-navigated surgery is better than that achieved with 3-D skull models and guide plates.