Management of blow-out fractures of the orbital floor

The management of orbital fractures has long been controversial. In some cases, surgical repair is required, and early repair is more successful than secondary reconstruction. In other cases, slow resolution of diplopia over four to six months obviates surgery. In an editorial and two separate articles, the authors elucidate indications for and results of the early vs. late surgical repair of orbital blow-out fractures.     

Orbital volume measurement in the management of pure blowout fractures of the orbital floor.

With the recent advent of accurate orbital volume assessment by computed tomography, a retrospective analysis was made of 31 patients with 'pure' blowout fracture of the orbital floor, managed either surgically or conservatively, to determine whether orbital volume measurement could provide an additional parameter of use in the management of such fractures. There was a significant difference in orbital volume discrepancy between patients managed surgically or conservatively suggesting that this investigation may be of use in decision making on surgical intervention in patients with orbital blowout fractures.     

眼眶骨折的手术治疗

目的研究眼眶爆裂性骨折整复术中应用Medpor的疗效。方法对135例眼眶爆裂性骨折手术：眶内壁骨折患者采用内眦皮肤切口及结膜切口入路，眼眶下壁骨折，及下壁合并内壁骨折术中采用下睑缘或下穹隆手术切口入眶，将嵌顿于眼眶骨折处的下直肌、内直肌及其他软组织游离至眶内，插入修剪塑形后的Medpor板。结果术后眼球突出度较术前提高1．5～5．0mm，同对侧正常眼相比为-2～＋2mm（即内陷或突出2mm之间），外观上基本同受伤前相似，术后1月后复视消除103例（76．30％），术后3月复视消除128例（94．81％）。结论及时实施眼眶爆裂性骨折整复术合并Medpor板植入可有效矫正眼球内陷及复视。     

The incidence of extraocular muscle and cranial nerve palsy in orbital floor blow-out fractures

The frequency of extraocular muscle (EOM) or cranial nerve (CN) palsy as the sole cause of diplopia in orbital floor blow-out fractures has not been previously determined. Of 40 blow-out fracture patients studied prospectively, seven had motility disturbances consistent with palsy of one EOM or CN. All seven patients had negative forced ductions, making entrapment, edema, or orbital hemorrhage unlikely causes of diplopia. The diplopia resolved in four patients in 1 year. Persistent diplopia is a common indication for repair of such fractures. If, however, diplopia is due only to EOM or CN palsy, orbital surgery should be deferred (in the absence of significant enophthalmos) in favor of observation and/or later strabismus surgery.     

爆裂性眶壁骨折的手术治疗

目的:探讨眼眶壁爆裂性骨折手术治疗的方法和效果。方法:总结2000-09/2005-01间因眼眶壁爆裂性骨折而行修复手术治疗的病例68例70眼。结果:52例眼球运动障碍患者中,31例眼动恢复正常,复视消失。其中伤后2wk内手术者21眼占75%(21/28)。2wk～2mo者8眼占26%(8/31)。超过2mo者2眼,占18%(2/11)。超过2wk以上者眼球内陷的术前均值3.0mm,术后均值1.0mm,明显改善。结论:对于伴有复视、眼球运动障碍的眼眶壁爆裂性骨折应尽早手术治疗。     

Orbital blow-out fractures: surgical timing and technique

PURPOSE: To recommend a tailored approach to surgical timing in the repair of orbital blow-out fractures, and to offer suggestions for improved functional and aesthetic surgical outcomes. METHODS: Traditional guidelines for surgical timing are reviewed. An evidence-based approach that considers soft-tissue disruption relative to bone-fragment separation is presented. The author's techniques for repair of isolated orbital floor, isolated medial wall, and combined floor-medial wall fractures are presented. RESULTS: As demonstrated previously, greater degrees of soft-tissue incarceration or displacement, with presumably greater intrinsic damage and subsequent fibrosis, result in poorer motility outcomes despite complete release of soft tissues. There is a suggestion that earlier intervention for such injuries might improve outcomes. Lower fornix and transcaruncular incisions, careful extrication of incarcerated tissue, and thin alloplastic implants have proven successful in the author's hands. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of soft-tissue displacement relative to bone fragment distraction, as depicted in preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans, should be considered in the timing of surgery. Incisions, soft-tissue handling, and implant material, thickness, and positioning can all affect the functional and aesthetic outcomes.     

Diplopia in fractures of the orbital floor

Based on their own experience with surgical treatment of 43 patients with fractures of the orbital floor, the authors discuss the problem of early operation in relation to the development of residual diplopia. They evaluate the functional result by the size of the visual field where diplopia occurred. In confirmed fractures of the orbit they recommend operation as early as possible after the injury. All patients were operated by the method of transantral reposition of the orbital floor. Satisfactory functional results were achieved in all operated patients. None of them had diplopia in the primary position of the eyes. The best results were achieved in patients operated early (residual diplopia in 10%), where none of the patients had diplopia in the visual field beneath 30 degrees.     

Orbital blow-out fractures,a series of 12 operated cases

BACKGROUND: The management for blow-out fractures is controversial. Some studies suggest early surgical treatment, others a conservative attitude. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied retrospectively the data of patients with blow-out fracture, referred to our Neuro-Ophthalmology and Strabismus Clinic from July 1993-May 2000. Out of 48 patients, 22 were operated. We evaluated all 12 patients who underwent pre- and postoperative orthoptic examinations. RESULTS: The patients' age at the time of the accident was 7.8 to 67.8 years (median 25.3). The delay between accident and operation was 2 to 91 days (median 5.5). Eleven patients were operated within 14 days, one after three months. All patients suffered preoperatively from double-vision. Postoperatively the field of fusion augmented, the middle point centralised. The follow-up time was 22 to 915 days (median 251). However, at the last examination, 0.5 to 16 months (median 4.5) after surgery, only seven out of 12 patients were symptom-free. CONCLUSION: Surgical reconstruction within the first week after trauma shows good results concerning ocular motility, sensibility, enophthalme, and field of fusion. An individual evaluation is surely necessary.     

Complications following orbital floor fractures

Complications after orbital floor fractures were studied in 76 cases (follow-up time 4 years). The following procedures were performed by the maxillofacial surgeon: repositioning of the orbital floor, tamponade of the maxillary sinus, covering of the defect with Lyodura, autologous bone grafting, and balloon catheterization. A satisfactory result was achieved after the primary operation in 75% of the cases. In cooperation with the ophthalmologist a variety of complications in 19 patients were studied and analyzed. The results of this study show the necessity of diagnostic and surgical cooperation between the specialists concerned.     

Orbital floor fractures and their treatment

Orbital floor fractures can occur with or without any associated fractures of the middle third of the facial skeleton. Fifty-one patients with a unilateral "black eye" after motor vehicle accidents were reviewed. The fractures involving the orbital floor were analysed. The clinical signs and symptoms, with results of radiological examination, are discussed. The various treatment modalities and their postoperative complications are discussed.