Abstract
Single fractures of the zygomatic bone are more commonly unilateral and less commonly bilateral. Furthermore, there are no reported cases of contralateral zygomatic bone fractures recurring at different timepoints. On the other hand, the most frequent cause of syncope is vasovagal syncope, which often recurs and reduces the patient’s quality of life.
We report a case of contralateral zygomatic bone fracture that occurred after an open reduction and internal fixation （ORIF） of a unilateral zygomatic bone fracture. A 55-year-old female patient had undergone an operation at our department of plastic surgery five years earlier due to a syncopal attack after consuming alcohol. She lost consciousness while walking, staggered, caught her foot on a curb, and fell, striking the right side of her face. She regained consciousness immediately and presented at a clinic. A zygomatic bone fracture was diagnosed, and she was referred to our hospital. She underwent an ORIF under general anesthesia. Seven years post-operatively, the patient is doing well without any infection of the wound.
To prevent reinjury after a fall, it is important to evaluate the risk factors of the syncopal attack that triggered the fall.
