ON Facial Contouring Zygoma Reduction: Cheekbones Thinned Down to a Pencil
Today, a patient who traveled a long distance to visit our clinic brought a thoughtful gift. Even small gestures like this always deeply touch me, knowing that patients trust and seek me out. Before the Consultation, as I personally examined the patient's face and then reviewed the CT scans, I found myself in deep contemplation.
CT Analysis: The Beginning of a Challenging Zygoma Surgery
Upon reviewing the patient's CT scans, the condition of the zygoma (cheekbone) was more severe than anticipated. The right zygoma, in particular, appeared very thin and small, almost like a pencil. There were also signs of previous Surgery, but non-union was observed, where the bone had not properly fused and had separated. The left zygoma was also small and had bone gaps, but its condition was better than the right. In cases where the bone is very thin and non-union has already occurred, additional zygoma reduction Surgery can be extremely challenging. There was a risk that the bone might not fuse properly, or in severe cases, complications could arise.
"This patient's zygoma is so thin and small, like a pencil. If we attempt to reduce it excessively when the bone is already weakened, the risk of the bone not fusing again increases significantly. The difficulty of the Surgery is very high, requiring a cautious approach."
Beyond the patient's concerns about their facial line, I needed to devise an optimal Planning for a safe and stable outcome. This involved not just reducing the bone, but also finding a way to promote bone fusion and improve facial asymmetry.
Dr. Oh Myung-jun's Meticulous Design and Solution
When the bone is thin and has non-union, firm fixation of the bone is paramount. This is because even a small bone gap can weaken the bone and cause it to wobble. Especially in cases of small zygomas, more precise surgical techniques are required. Based on the CT scans, I meticulously analyzed the patient's zygoma structure and proceeded with a Design that could resolve the existing issues while creating a natural and harmonious facial line. The osteotomy lines, range of movement, and fixation methods were meticulously planned to minimize the risk of non-union and ensure the bone would fuse firmly.
Successful Surgical Outcome and Patient Satisfaction
Post-Surgery CT scans revealed a remarkable transformation. The wide space of the zygoma that was present before Surgery was effectively reduced, visibly narrowing the facial width. Notably, the areas where the bone had separated before Surgery were perfectly fused and firmly attached. The asymmetry was also improved, resulting in an overall balanced facial line.
- The wide zygoma space before Surgery was effectively reduced.
- The separated bones were perfectly fused, showing stable results.
- Facial asymmetry was improved, leading to a more harmonious impression.
- Overall facial width was reduced, completing a small and soft facial line.
Despite this being a highly challenging case, the Surgery was successfully completed, and the patient was very satisfied. I also felt a great sense of reward seeing the patient's brighter smile.
O.N Clinic's Facial Contouring Philosophy
O.N Clinic goes beyond simply shaving bone to make the face smaller; we pursue natural and beautiful results through customized Design that considers each patient's unique facial structure and characteristics. Especially in difficult cases where the bone condition is poor, such as with the zygoma, or when revision Surgery is needed, we strive to provide safe and satisfactory results through precise diagnosis and delicate surgical techniques. We prioritize bone fusion and long-term stability, working to ensure that patients can undergo Surgery with peace of mind.
O.N Clinic | Last reviewed 2026-05-23