Cheek Reconstruction

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have a fractured cheekbone. In terms of cheek reconstruction will a fat injection be more beneficial than a cosmetic implant? Please email me your answer.

A: Assuming that you are not going to have the cheekbone fracture repaired acutely or that this is an old healed fracture, you are seeking cosmetic camouflage of the external deformity caused by displacement of the underlying bone. (cheek reconstruction) Both fat injections and an onlay bone implant are viable treatment options. But which one would be better depends on the location and extent of the external facial deformity. Each approach has its advantages and disadvantages. Fat injections are simpler to do with a very quick recovery but their survival is far from assured and, in most cases, requires more than single treatment session. A facial implant offers an assured augmentation result but is more invasive with a longer recovery. (swelling period) In some cases of secondary zygomatico-orbital reconstruction I have combined implants with fat grafting to get the best result.

It would be very helpful to see pictures of your face to determine the nature of your cheekbone fracture deformity. From that I could give you a better idea as to which approach may be best.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana