INDICATION AND METHOD OF ZYGOMATIC BUCCAL VESTIBULOPLASTY

It is very difficult to make the obturator stable in function lacking bony support on the defective side of the maxilla. Therefore. the chewing function of these cases is always poor. In order to obtain stability of the obturator. we have devised the operation of zygomatic buccal vestibuloplasty. The essential part of the operation is to extend the buccal groove of the defective side or both sides to the residual zygomatic process of the maxilla and the anterior part of the lower border of the zygomatic bone with skin graft, Consequently, the obturator will have an adequate resting area and be stable in function. Since February 1980. the operation had been performed in 9 patients. and normal chewing function has been restored in all of them. The technical procedure of the opera-tion is described.