The tripod fracture, also called the zygomaticomaxillary complex or malar fracture, is composed of a set of fractures including the lateral orbital wall, inferior orbital floor, and the zygomatic arch.

Cause:

• direct blow to malar eminence

Clinical features:

• facial bruising/swelling
• flattened malar eminence
• loss of facial sensation below orbit (infraorbital nerve involvement)
• trismus / altered mastication
• diplopia +/- ophthalmoplegia

Fracture line:

• laterall wall of maxillary sinus
• orbital rim +/- infraorbital foramen
• orbital floor
• zygomatico-frontal suture / zygomatic arch¹²

References

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