TWO alumni of the Fiji National University’s (FNU) College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences (CMNHS) have created history by successfully undertaking Vanuatu’s first-ever ‘reduction of the zygomatic complex fracture’ surgery last week.
According to a statement issued by FNU, Dr Nelson Tanghwa and Dr Mackenzie Sitobata (Class of 2018) who are both dentists conducted the successful surgery at Vila Central Hospital.
The zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) plays a key role in the structure, function, and aesthetic appearance of the facial skeleton. It provides normal cheek contour and separates the orbital contents from the temporal fossa and the maxillary sinus. The ZMC fractures are common after facial trauma.
“We did a one-point fixation at the zygoma-frontal fracture site (Obwegeser figure of 8 wiring) after reducing the fracture and elevating the zygomatic bone fracture transorally,” said Dr Tanghwa.
“The two-hour procedure was a first of its kind to be done at the main hospital here in Port Vila and there were no post-operative complications,” he added.
