Today, a patient who traveled a long distance to visit our clinic brought a heartfelt gift. Though a small gesture, I am always deeply touched by the trust patients place in me. Before the consultation, as I examined the patient's face and then reviewed the CT scans, I found myself in deep contemplation.
CT Analysis: The Beginning of a Challenging Cheekbone Surgery
Upon reviewing the patient's CT scans, the condition of the cheekbones was more severe than anticipated. The right cheekbone, in particular, appeared very thin and small, almost like a pencil. There were also traces of a previous surgery, and non-union was observed, where the bone had not properly fused and was separated. The left cheekbone was also small and had bone gaps, but its condition was better than the right. Given that the bone was very thin and non-union had already occurred, additional cheekbone reduction surgery would be extremely challenging. There was a significant risk that the bone might not fuse properly, or in severe cases, complications could arise.
"This patient's cheekbones are very thin, almost like a small pencil. If we attempt to reduce the already weakened bone excessively, the risk of non-union increases significantly. The surgical difficulty is very high, requiring a cautious approach."
Beyond addressing the patient's concerns about their facial line, I had to devise an optimal surgical plan to ensure safe and stable results. This involved not just reducing the bone, but also finding ways to promote bone fusion and improve facial asymmetry.
Dr. Myungjun Oh's Meticulous Design and Solution
When the bone is thin and non-union is present, securely fixing the bone is paramount. Even a small gap can weaken the bone and cause instability. Especially with small cheekbones, more intricate surgical techniques are required. Based on the CT scans, I meticulously analyzed the patient's cheekbone structure and designed a plan that would resolve existing issues while creating a natural and harmonious facial line. The osteotomy lines, range of movement, and fixation methods were precisely planned to minimize the risk of non-union and ensure robust bone fusion.
Successful Surgical Outcomes and Patient Satisfaction
Post-surgery CT scans revealed remarkable changes. The wide cheekbone space that was present before surgery was effectively reduced, significantly narrowing the facial width. Notably, the areas where the bone was previously separated had perfectly fused, showing solid attachment. The asymmetry was also improved, resulting in an overall balanced facial line.
- The wide cheekbone space before surgery was effectively reduced.
- The separated bones achieved perfect fusion, leading to stable results.
- Facial asymmetry was improved, resulting in a more harmonious appearance.
- Overall facial width was reduced, completing a smaller and softer facial line.
Despite being a highly challenging case, the surgery was successfully completed, and the patient expressed great satisfaction. I, too, felt immense reward seeing the patient's brighter smile.
On Clinic's Philosophy on Facial Contouring
On Clinic goes beyond simply shaving bone to make the face smaller; we pursue natural and beautiful results through customized designs that consider each patient's unique facial structure and characteristics. Especially in difficult cases, such as those with poor bone condition or requiring revision surgery for cheekbones, we strive to provide safe and satisfying outcomes with precise diagnosis and delicate surgical techniques. We prioritize bone fusion and long-term stability, working to ensure patients feel secure undergoing surgery.
Dr. Myungjun Oh, On Clinic | Last reviewed 2026-05-23