The Shadow of Previous Surgery: Severe Cheekbone Gaps and Asymmetry
A young female patient visited On Clinic. Her primary concern was not aesthetic enhancement but rather to correct severe side effects from a previous cheekbone surgery, specifically asymmetry and 'bone gaps' in her cheekbones. A bone gap refers to a space where bones have not properly fused. In this patient's case, large bone gaps were present on both sides, so significant that a finger could easily fit into them upon touch. Notably, a 15.4mm gap was observed on the right cheekbone and a 13mm gap on the left, suggesting that the cheekbones might have been excessively resected by more than 15mm in the previous surgery. This condition resulted in an overall broad facial appearance and severe asymmetry.
The Necessity of Revision Surgery: Beyond Aesthetics to Functional Recovery
Dr. Myungjun Oh meticulously diagnosed the patient's condition, explaining, "All the areas I'm touching are bone gaps. We must eliminate all these gaps." It was crucial not just to re-fuse the bones but to restore the overall harmony and function of the face. He emphasized that while it was fortunate the patient had good skin elasticity at a young age, over time, the bone gap areas could appear shadowed or the step deformity could become more pronounced. Therefore, considering her recovery potential and elasticity, Dr. Oh's advice, "It's advantageous to undergo revision surgery while you're young," resonated deeply with the patient.
"I wasn't originally planning to come, but the surgery results were so good that I wanted to see the director's face and express my gratitude!"
The patient mentioned that she was instructed by her previous hospital not to open her mouth wide for three months after surgery. As a result, she did not practice mouth opening at all, leading to temporomandibular joint dysfunction, where she could barely fit even one finger into her mouth. Dr. Myungjun Oh emphatically stated, "No! You absolutely must open it! It doesn't matter! Eat a hamburger! A hamburger!" stressing the importance of accurate and active rehabilitation. Appropriate oral exercises after surgery are essential for promoting bone fusion and restoring temporomandibular joint function. Consult via chat now
On Clinic's Solution: Precise Bone Grafting and Refixation
To address the patient's severe bone gaps and asymmetry, On Clinic developed the following revision surgery plan:
- Accurate Diagnosis: 3D CT scans were used to precisely determine the size and location of the bone gaps and the condition of surrounding tissues.
- Bone Grafting: Autologous bone or artificial bone was grafted into the excessively resected cheekbone areas to restore bone continuity and improve facial contour.
- Precise Refixation: After bone grafting, robust fixation ensured stable bone union.
- Asymmetry Correction: The balance of both cheekbones was adjusted to achieve overall facial harmony.
Successful Revision Surgery, A New Beginning
After the surgery, the patient achieved a remarkably improved facial contour. The severe bone gaps disappeared, and her previously broad face became naturally slimmer. Most importantly, the significant asymmetry was greatly improved, leaving the patient highly satisfied. Temporomandibular joint function is also expected to recover with consistent exercise. The patient expressed her joy, saying, "I wasn't originally planning to come, but the surgery results were so good that I wanted to see the director's face and express my gratitude!" Dr. Myungjun Oh humorously responded to her thanks, "I heard the same thing five years ago. You have to keep performing surgeries until my daughters grow up! Stay healthy until then!" demonstrating the deep trust between him and the patient. On Clinic, even in such challenging revision surgeries, provides solutions optimized for each patient's condition, aiming for not only aesthetic satisfaction but also functional recovery.
Dr. Myungjun Oh, On Clinic | Last reviewed 2024-07-23