Background: The objective was to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) before and after surgical treatment
of zygomatic complex fracture and assess patients’ perceptions of the aesthetic and functional outcomes of
surgery.
Material and Methods: A prospective study of 79 adult patients before and after surgery for zygomatic complex
fracture was conducted. HRQoL was measured using the generic 15-dimensional (15D) instrument, and patient
satisfaction was assessed by an additional questionnaire.
Results: The mean preoperative 15D score for patients was lower than for general population that was matched for
age and gender (p=0.011). The mean 15D score was lowest on the first postoperative day (p<0.001) when patients
were worse off for 6 of the 15 dimensions of the HRQoL instrument and better off for three dimensions. However,
patients achieved, and even exceeded, the mean 15D score of the general population during the first month
following surgery. Infraorbital sensory loss at the end of the six-month follow-up appeared to be the single most
important factor that plagued the patients.
Conclusions: HRQoL is significantly reduced after trauma but improves a few weeks after surgery. Infraorbital
nerve sensory loss is a notable long-term factor that affects patients after zygomatic complex fracture.