Will Cheekbone Reduction Osteotomies Make My Cheekbone More Prone To Fracture Later?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in getting a cheekbone reduction surgery for my wide/high cheekbones. However, I am concerned about the strength of the zygomatic bone after the reduction surgery. I participate in many non-competitive contact sports, such as kickboxing and soccer. If I get cheekbone reduction surgery and, after full recovery, I get struck by a ball in the face during soccer or a punch to the face during a kickboxing sparring session, would that compromise the integral strength of the cheekbone?

A:While cheekbone reduction surgery does cut the bone and move it inward at both ends once the two ends are fully healed there is no clinical evidence to indicate hat it makes it weaker or more susceptible to fracture from facial trauma. Given that cheekbone reduction surgery is done almost exclusively in young patients, both male and female, I have yet to see any reports of a secondary fracture from facial trauma in these treated patients. I think the anatomic reason is that once the cheekbone has been moved inward there isn’t much subzygomatic space in which to move further.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon