Mild Tripod

Tripod fractures are a set of fractures of the zygoma and are also known as  zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures. These are termed tripod fractures since the fracture involves the three buttresses of the zygoma - the frontozygomatic suture, zygomaticomaxillary sutures, and the zygomaticotemporal suture. Occasionally, a fourth suture may be involved - the zygomaticosphenoid suture. The zygomaticomaxillary complex can be considered as a quadripod structure because of its relationship to the frontal bone, maxilla, temporal bone, and skull base. Tripod fractures should be distinguished from isolated fractures of the zygomatic arch. Tripod fractures demonstrate variable severity manifested by their degree of zygoma fragmentation and sutural separation. Surgery is performed to reestablish the correct positioning of the malar prominence.