Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the infraorbital foramen (IOF) using CT in patients with Zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures (midface fracture).
Patients and methods: This prospective study was carried out on 49 patients had ZMC fractures (98 sides) and 27 patients (54 sides) with craniomaxillofacial fractures rather than fractured ZMC as a control. Using CT, position of IOF was documented on 3D view in relation to inferior orbital rim, tooth root relation and finally with a novel imaginary line passing between anterior nasal spine and whitnall tubercle.
Results: Position of IOF had fixed anatomical landmark: just lateral to a line drawn between the anterior nasal spine to whitnall tubercle (clinically between nasal tip-lateral canthal ligament) and lateral to vertical plane to root of maxillary canine also with variable distance from inferior orbital rim ranged from 4.56 to 18.03 mm with a mean of 7.9 ± 2.447 mm.
Conclusion: Even though ZMC fractures disturb the anatomical location of the ZMC bones, there are still preserved reliable fixed landmarks maxillofacial surgeons can depend on to identify and preserve ION.
Keywords: CT; Fracture zygoma; Infraorbital nerve; Internal fixation; Zygomaticomaxillary complex.