To analyze the anatomical morphology of the zygomatic arch for reduction malarplasty.

Computed tomography (CT) data were obtained from the electronic records of 45 patients in the Tianjin Stomatological Hospital from January 2018 to February 2020. Among them, there were 30 patients with normal protrusion of zygoma (group A) and 15 patients with prominent protrusion of zygoma (group B). The data were imported into modeling and analysis software (Mimics). Left and right three-dimensional (3D) zygoma models were created through standard procedures. In the 3D models, a vertical cut of the zygomatic arch was done, and anatomical morphological characteristics of the zygomatic arch were obtained through bone data measurement and morphological observation. Mean values with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for the positional data. Independent sample T-test was conducted on the positional data and anatomical morphology data of the zygomatic arch in the two groups. P< 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

In group B, the anterior edge of the stabilization area was located in front of the articular tubercle point (15.12 mm, 17.16 mm). The posterior edge of the stabilization area was located in front of the articular tubercle point (7.11 mm, 8.24 mm). The posterior edge of the enlarged area was located in front of the articular tubercle point (3.17 mm, 3.94 mm). There were significant differences between group A and group B in the posterior edge of the stabilization area (t= 2.41, P= 0.018), the posterior edge of the enlarged area (t=2.58, P= 0.012), and the width of the unilateral face (P<0.01).

There exists a stabilization area of bone morphology and enlargement area in zygomatic arch. The anatomical morphology of the zygomatic arch is different in width of the unilateral face and location of the enlarged area between populations with normal protrusion and prominent protrusion of the zygoma.

Dissection; Digital technology; Zygomatic arch; Zygoma; Face contour