In recent years, increasing highway speeds have made traumatic injuries of the facial skeleton a commonplace occurrence. Some problems in the management of such injuries, which were not apparent in the past, are now becoming evident. One which we have encountered recently is the development of a postoperative oral-antral fistula through the operative incision following intraoral reduction of fracture of the zygoma. While in no way disabling, this problem may be a source of considerable annoyance to the patient. Also, it may be easily overlooked by the physician who is trying to give the patient the financial benefit of the shortest possible hospitalization.
The so-called "tripod" fracture of the zygoma is one of the more common fractures of the facial skeleton. The injury usually is caused by a hard blow high on the cheek, which separates the heavy part of the zygoma from the adjacent facial bones (Fig. 1). Rowe