Staircase Effect After Zygoma Revision: 3D Reduction for a Celebrity's Shoot
Addressing Step Deformity After Previous Zygoma Surgery with 3D Zygoma Reduction Surgery
This patient had previously undergone zygoma Surgery at another clinic, but developed a 'step deformity' on the right cheekbone area and visited O.N Clinic. A step deformity is a condition where the facial line is not smooth and the bone appears to protrude, and it is one of the complications that can occur after zygoma Surgery. The patient was very concerned about their facial line due to this issue.
Analysis of Problems from Previous Zygoma Surgery
I meticulously analyzed the problems from the previous Surgery using the patient's 3D CT images. According to the CT images, the left zygoma appeared to have been osteotomized further back and had stably united. However, the right zygoma was osteotomized approximately 1 cm further forward, which resulted in the bone not uniting properly and protruding. This protruding bone was the cause of the 'step deformity' the patient described. The re-Surgery for the right zygoma was more challenging compared to the left zygoma.
"The left zygoma was cut further back, so it's fine, but the right zygoma, which was cut further forward, likely did not unite. The protruding bone caused the step deformity."
Such non-union or malunion can affect not only cosmetic appearance but also bone stability, making accurate diagnosis and Planning for re-Surgery crucial.
Planning for 3D Zygoma Reduction Surgery to Improve Step Deformity
At O.N Clinic, we developed a customized 3D Zygoma Reduction Surgery re-Surgery Planning based on the patient's 3D CT data. The core objective was to precisely remove the protruding zygomatic bone and accurately reposition the osteotomized bone to its original, natural position, connecting it smoothly in a straight line. Through this, we aimed to eliminate the step deformity of the facial line and balance the symmetry of both zygomas to harmoniously improve the overall facial contour.
Post-Surgery Changes and Patient Satisfaction
After the Surgery, the patient was very satisfied with their remarkably changed facial line. We could feel great joy from their bright smile while looking in the mirror. In particular, they truly felt the effect of their face becoming narrower and smaller overall. In fact, as the cheekbones move inward, there is also a visual effect of the head appearing smaller.
- Reduced Facial Width: The protruding zygoma was reduced, naturally narrowing the facial width.
- Eye Enlargement Effect: As the zygoma line became smoother, the eyes appeared relatively larger and more defined.
- Head Size Reduction Effect: The inward movement of the zygoma brought about a visual change, making the overall head size appear smaller.
"Your face has narrowed, hasn't it? It actually has the effect of making your head look smaller. That's because the cheekbones have moved in. The protruding cheekbones are gone, so your head appears smaller. You can see your eyes look bigger, right? Now, only your eyes are noticeable."
The patient expressed a desire to take photos again after Hair Removal of the sideburns at the next follow-up, which showed their anticipation for more defined features after the facial line improvement. As such, 3D Zygoma Reduction Surgery goes beyond simply reducing bone; it can lead to more satisfying results by considering the overall proportions and harmony of the face.
O.N Clinic | Last Reviewed 2026-05-23