Zygomatic Arch Reduction Surgery
Westerners consider high cheekbones beautiful, and many Western beauties have distinct facial features with high cheekbones. Easterners also have relatively high cheekbones, but in Eastern culture, overly high cheekbones forming a triangular face are associated with an appearance of emaciation and aging. Especially for women, superstitious beliefs even suggest that having high cheekbones is a "husband-killing" physiognomy. Of course, this has no scientific basis.
What situations require cosmetic surgery for unattractive cheekbones?
1. Congenital developmental malformations. The external manifestations mainly include two types: enlarged and protruding zygomatic bones or flat zygomatic bones. Enlarged zygomatic bone deformities are more common in Easterners. They can be unilateral or bilateral, with bilateral being more common. Even in bilateral cases, symmetry is not perfect, sometimes one side is slightly higher than the other. Flat zygomatic bone deformities are commonly seen in Westerners, characterized by insufficient fullness in the zygomatic area and disappearance of the upper outer contour line of the zygomatic bone. Patients of this type often exhibit sunken areas below the zygomatic bone, deepened nasolabial folds and skin wrinkles, and these symptoms are more pronounced in the elderly.
2. Deformities caused by diseases. Inflammation or tumors in the zygomatic bone or adjacent tissues can cause defects and deformities in the zygomatic region, and severe cases may lead to obvious disfigurement. Such deformities should be immediately repaired or restored later through plastic surgery to restore the shape of the zygomatic region.
3. Traumatic deformities of the zygomatic bone or arch. These deformities may manifest differently due to factors such as fracture type, degree of injury, severity of the condition, and whether there is concurrent damage to surrounding soft tissues. Accurate repositioning of the zygomatic bone or arch can correct the deformity.
Is having large zygomatic bones really a "husband-killing" physiognomy?
The so-called "husband-killing" physiognomy due to high cheekbones is a feudal superstition and has no scientific basis. Cheekbone reduction surgery can improve facial defects and help enhance one's confidence.
How is the surgery performed for large cheekbones?
For those with truly enlarged cheekbones, only through surgery, where the enlarged part is removed, can the problem be truly solved. However, there are three types of cheekbone enlargement: protrusion towards the front, protrusion towards both sides, and protrusion near the temporomandibular joint in front of the ear. The first two cases must be corrected through surgery to achieve ideal results, while the third case is less suitable for surgery.
What are the incision options for cheekbone reshaping surgery?
For high and prominent cheekbones, a cheekbone reduction surgery can be performed; for flat or sunken cheekbones, a cheekbone augmentation surgery can be done. There are various incision options for surgeries dealing with cheekbone deformities: coronal scalp incision, intraoral incision, lower eyelid incision, preauricular incision, combined intraoral and preauricular incision, etc. External incisions involve more complex surgeries with greater trauma and a risk of facial nerve damage. Intraoral approaches allow most patients to undergo outpatient surgery without hospitalization. This method is simpler, causes less damage, involves less pain, does not damage the facial nerve, and is relatively safe.
What preparations should be made before the surgery?
1. Be in good health with no organic lesions in important organs, such as no heart disease, hepatitis, nephritis, pneumonia, etc.
2. Have no oral infection sources, such as cavities, periodontitis, oral ulcers, etc.
3. Women should avoid the menstrual period for the surgery.
4. Routine blood and urine tests, chest X-rays, and electrocardiograms should be conducted.
5. Routine frontal and profile facial photographs should be taken for postoperative comparison and evaluation of therapeutic effects. If possible, a 3D cranial CT scan can be done. Upper jaw X-ray images can be taken to understand the development of the maxillary sinus. For individual cases, face molds can be taken to prepare for measuring the amount of zygomatic bone that needs to be removed.