Phylogenesis, ontogenesis and anatomy show the existence of two discomallear and malleomandibular ligaments, arising from the first branchial arch and uniting the middle ear with the temporomandibular joint and to the mandible. The intra-articular discomallear ligament is the involuted tendon of the lateral pterygoid muscle on the primitive quadrato-articular joint. The malleomandibular ligament is the fibrous remnant of Meckel's cartilage. In the physiology of the temporomandibular joint, the discomallear ligament alone limits the anterior movement of the disc. Its stretching accompanies disco-condylar disunity, hyperlaxity and temporomandibular dislocation. The malleomandibular ligament, wrongly limited to its sphenomandibular part in classic anatomy, has no physiological role. However, it can be responsible for the dislocation of the ear ossicle chain after disarticulation or temporomandibular trauma. These two ligaments do not play any role in otological manifestations in dysfunction of the manducatory apparatus.

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Patients with a narrow face have often a defect in expansion of the maxillary-malar complex. A malar osteotomy, separating the malar-zygomatic complex from the orbit and the maxilla, allows an anterolateral cheek projection when performing an external rotation. This technique changes facial contour and improves facial aesthetics. During the past 5 years, 18 malar osteotomies have been performed; the external rotation was stabilized with interposed coral graft in six patients and with interposed bone graft fixed by a miniplate or with a stainless steel wire in 12 patients. Simultaneously septoplasty was performed in five patients, rhinoplasty in 13 patients, and genioplasty in two patients. Six patients had a face and neck lift, one patient had a forehead lift, and one patient had onlay iliac crest bone graft to treat atrophic maxillary alveolar ridges prior to implant placement. Stability was defined after 1 year follow-up. The increase in projection was correlated to the size of the graft. At least 5 mm were necessary to have cheek modification. Mucous inflammation, maxillary sinusitis, and relapse were observed with the use of interposed coral graft, but no complications were observed with bone graft. Malar osteotomy is a simple and safe procedure; it allows an anterolateral cheek projection and seems to be effective for treating transverse midface deficiency.

Vascularized free flaps are now considered the most appropriate choice for mandible reconstruction because they offer excellent cosmetic and functional results. Various techniques have been proposed. Free fibular flaps have numerous advantages in terms of versatility and contouring. Shaping can be achieved by wedge osteotomy with excellent results. However, this technique leads to bone loss and may be difficult in the later stages of the procedure. The purpose of this report is to describe a simple and safe flap-shaping method involving axial split osteotomy.