Cheekbone Revision: A Tough Third Operation for a Woman in Her Late 30s
We recently had a Consultation with a patient regarding malar bone re-Surgery. This patient had previously undergone two malar bone Surgeries: the first in China and the second in Korea. However, after the Surgeries, they experienced significant discomfort due to asymmetry, non-union of the bones, and an excessively reduced malar bone.
We meticulously analyzed the patient's condition by reviewing the CT scan results together. Numerous fixation pins were embedded around the malar bone from the previous Surgeries. Specifically, more than 10 pins were identified, with 7 in the posterior malar area alone. The problem was that despite these many pins, the bones had not properly united and were separated both anteriorly and posteriorly. This indicated that the malar bone remained unstable due to non-union. The left malar bone was more severely protruded than the right, and overall facial asymmetry was prominent.
Complexity and Approach to Malar Bone Re-Surgery
As this was the third malar bone Surgery, this re-Surgery was expected to be highly complex. The key challenges included removing the existing complicated pins, precisely repositioning the non-united bones, and improving facial asymmetry. A delicate approach was required, considering the overall harmony of the face, beyond simply reducing the bone.
At O.N Clinic, we accurately identify each patient's unique skeletal structure and issues through 3D CT analysis, and based on this, we establish a customized Planning. We particularly focused on precisely identifying the non-union areas of the malar bone and re-fixing the bone while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues.
"This third Surgery is very difficult, but I believe the results will be good. I will do my best!" I strived to provide the patient with the best possible and satisfactory results.
Surgery Results: Asymmetry Improvement and Bone Union
Remarkable changes were observed in the post-Surgery CT images.
- Malar Bone Reduction: The protruded malar bone naturally moved inward, aligning with the eye bone line. Previously, the malar bone protruded more than the joint, but now the eye bone has become the widest part of the face. Overall, the malar area appears to have been reduced by more than 1/3, almost half.
- Asymmetry Improvement: The asymmetry of the left and right malar bones was significantly improved, bringing overall balance to the face.
- Complete Bone Union: The most critical non-union issue was resolved. We confirmed that the previously existing bone gap (non-union) had completely fused, achieving a stable state. This greatly contributes not only to the patient's functional Recovery but also to their aesthetic satisfaction.
The patient was very satisfied with the smoother and smaller facial line when compared to the pre-Surgery photos. They were particularly pleased that the bones had completely fused, and they no longer felt any instability.
Complex malar bone re-Surgery like this requires not only the technique of bone reduction but also in-depth knowledge and extensive experience in understanding the overall facial structure and harmony. O.N Clinic accurately diagnoses the unique condition of each patient and continuously researches and strives to provide the best results through safe and effective Surgery.
O.N Clinic | Last updated 2026-05-23