Reconstruction of Orbital Floor Fractures with Autogenous Bone Graft Application from Anterior Wall of Maxillary Sinus: A Retrospective Study

Introduction

Orbital wall fracture implies a situation where disruptions of the walls or floor have occurred. It is a blowout type fracture where bone fragments with torn periosteum are pushed outside of the original bony orbit. There is no intact bone even near the defect area except the thin bone rim surrounding the blowout fracture. The purpose of this defect repair is to support orbital contents, free entrapped tissue, and, especially, restore the original orbital volume.

Material and methods

Ten patients (seven males and three females) who underwent repair of orbital floor factures with maxillary sinus bone grafts were included in this study. Surgical procedure for harvesting graft and its fixation was almost same in all operated cases.

Conclusion

The collection in the maxillary sinus due to fracture of floor of orbit, blood and bony fragments collected in the maxillary sinus can be easily drained and removed after removal of anterior wall of maxillary sinus and through the same approach you can reduce the floor of orbit manually to the proper position which helps to decease the orbital floor defect.     

Alloplastic template fixation of blow-out fracture

Alloplasts are widely used to reconstruct the orbital defects. The alloplastic material, however, is not uncommonly infected, displaced, and extruded, and forms an epithelial pseudocyst around it. To prevent the depressed fractured bone of the orbital floor from dropping down into the maxillary sinus, an en block fragment of the depressed fracture of the orbital floor was restored after being attached to an alloplastic sheet template which was fixed to the intact orbital floor. This procedure is simple and secure, and intramaxillary packing is not needed to buttress the depressed fractured bone into the sinus.     

Orbital Fracture in a Professional Diver: Issues and Management

Background

We present a case report of a professional diver who sustained a fracture of the left orbital medial wall as well as floor exceeding 50% with orbital fat herniation blocking the maxillary sinus ostium. This may result in a closed cavity within the maxillary sinus that could potentially result in barotraumas during future diving. The aim of his surgery consists of repairing the orbital fracture and to aerating the sinus at the same sitting.

Method

A transconjunctival approach was used combined with endoscopic sinus surgery approach to the maxillary sinus. The orbital floor fracture was repaired with a titanium plate. A wide middle meatal antrostomy was performed. A size eight Foley’s catheter was inserted into the maxillary sinus and the balloon inflated to elevate and support the displaced inferior orbital floor bone fragment. The balloon was left in situ for 4 weeks to support the mobile inferior orbital fragment till adequate bone healing and stability.

Results

Patient recovered well. At 3 months post-operatively, the maxillary antrostomy remained patent, and a hyperbaric oxygen challenge test was performed with success. A repeat orbital CT scan 1 day after hyperbaric challenge showed no signs of air leakage, and the bony inferior orbital floor fracture has healed completely with the titanium plate in situ.

Conclusion

This is the first case report of repair of orbital floor fracture with simultaneous aeration of the maxillary sinus in a professional diver using a combined approach. The patient was able to resume his occupation as a professional diver following surgery.

     

Untreated 'blow-in' fracture of the orbital floor causing a mucocele: report of an unusual late complication.

BACKGROUND: Several severe complications have been described with blow-in fractures. Therefore, immediate surgical treatment of these fractures has been recommended. To date, there is only minimal knowledge on long-term complications of blow-in fractures that have remained untreated. The present case report describes a late complication of an untreated blow-in fracture of the orbital floor. CASE: A 37-year-old male was involved in a car accident 16 years before. At that time, a non-dislocated midfacial fracture was diagnosed and remained untreated because of the lack of clinical symptoms. Four months before surgery an exophthalmos of the left globe began to develop. CT examination revealed a consolidated blow-in fracture of the left orbital floor and an opaque mass around the dislocated bony fragments. By an infraorbital approach the bony fragments and the surrounding mass were removed. Histological examination of the removed material revealed a cystic structure lined with respiratory epithelium. Therefore, the diagnosis 'post-traumatic mucocele in the orbit caused by dislocated respiratory epithelium from the maxillary sinus' was made. CONCLUSION: Even if blow-in fractures do not cause complications immediately after trauma, late complications like mucoceles can occur after several symptom-free years. Therefore, early reconstruction should be intended even in asymptomatic cases of blow-in fractures with minimal displacement of the bony fragments.     

Poly(L-lactide) implants in repair of defects of the orbital floor: an animal study

Because of the life-long presence of alloplastic, nonresorbable orbital floor implants and the complications of their use mentioned in literature, the use of a resorbable material appears to be preferable in the repair of orbital floor defects. A high-molecular-weight, as-polymerized poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) was used for repair of orbital floor defects of the blowout type in goats. An artificial defect was created in the bony floor of both orbits. Reconstruction of the orbital floor was then carried out using a concave PLLA implant of 0.4-mm thickness. At 3, 6, 12, 19, 26, 52, and 78 weeks postoperatively, one goat was killed. Microscopic examination showed full encapsulation of the implant by connective tissue after 3 weeks. After 6 weeks, resorption and remodeling of the bone at the points of support of the implant could be detected. A differentiation between the sinus and orbital sides of the connective tissue capsule was observed. The orbital side showed a significantly more dense capsule than the antral side, which had a loose appearance. At 19 weeks, a bony plate was progressively being formed, and at 78 weeks, new bone had fully covered the plate on the antral and orbital side. No inflammation or rejection of the PLLA implant was seen.     

Use of membrane and bone grafts in the reconstruction of orbital fractures

OBJECTIVE: To present and analyze the clinical results derived from the use of different grafts for the reconstruction of orbital defects during a 10-year period.Study Design: Fifty-five fracture cases with orbital bony defect, requiring a graft, are presented. The surgical treatment includes the reconstruction of the fracture (osteosynthesis) and the repair of the remaining bone defect by graft, with the type of graft dependent on the size of the defect. For minor defects membranes were used (lyophilized dura or alloplastic dura mater), whereas major defects were repaired with bone grafts (autografts, heterografts, or bone substitute material). All patients have been regularly evaluated for at least one year postoperatively. RESULTS: All grafts were well tolerated by the patients. Diplopia subsided in all but 5 cases, motility disturbance was fully repaired in all but 3 cases. Esthetics were improved in cases with severe bone defect. CONCLUSION: The wide variety of grafts available allows successful reconstruction of all types of orbital bony defects. The clinician should be able to use different types of grafts depending on the type and size of the defect.     

应用自体耳甲软骨瓣重建眶底

目的研究自体耳甲软骨瓣应用于眶底重建,对眶底骨折引起的复视和眼球内陷的疗效。方法自2003年7月～2007年6月应用耳甲软骨瓣重建眶底共21例。本组患者术前均经轴位和冠状位眶部CT证实存在眶底骨折下陷,且部分眶内容物疝入上颌窦,患侧眼球突出度与健侧相差3mm以上。自患侧耳廓切取耳甲软骨瓣（保留两侧软骨膜）,经下眼睑下缘切口入路,用耳甲软骨瓣修补眶底骨质缺损。术后均随访3个月以上,观察复视和眼球内陷的治疗效果,以及供区耳廓有无畸形。结果本组21例患者术后复视消失者19例（90.5%）、明显改善者2例（9.5%）;双侧眼球突出度相差≤2mm共17例（81.0%）,2.1mm～3.0mm共3例（14.3%）,〉3mm共1例（4.7%）;无一例出现耳廓畸形和耳甲软骨瓣感染。结论对于眶底骨折伴有眶底下陷,眶内容物疝入上颌窦以及双侧眼球突度相差明显的患者,应用耳甲软骨瓣重建眶底,可显著改善复视和眼球内陷等眼功能障碍,且不会引起供区耳廓畸形。     

Maxillary antral bone grafts for repair of orbital fractures.

Use of bone from the maxillary antrum to repair defects in the orbital floor was described more than 20 years ago but has not been reported for correction of orbital rim fractures. The method is appealing because the source is contiguous with the recipient site; enhanced exposure might allow better fracture reduction and evacuation of debris and hematoma from the maxillary sinus. The intraoral approach also avoids an external incision and scar, prevents such complications as pneumothorax or dural perforation, and reduces postoperative pain. In 60 cases of orbital and zygomatic complex fractures seen between 1985 and 1990, less than 8% required more extensive graft material than the maxillary antra could provide. To assess the potential advantages of local over extraanatomical bone grafts, we evaluated maxillary antral bone grafts obtained through buccal sulcus incisions in 14 patients for restoration following fractures of the orbit. Several of these patients are described. Bone union was complete in all patients and there was no morbidity related to infection, oroantral fistula formation, dehiscence, or disfigurement. Sufficient bone was available from the uninvolved contralateral side to repair even severely comminuted fractures. In zygomatic complex fractures, maxillary antral grafts appeared to provide additional strength in the region of the fractured maxillary buttress. The success of the procedure in our experience, coupled with the safety of bone harvesting from this source, and the avoidance of an external scar make maxillary antral bone well suited to reconstruction of all areas of the orbit.     

Perforating the polydioxanone sheet: avoiding intraorbital hematoma after open treatment of orbital floor fractures

The surgical treatment of orbital floor fracture, a common facial injury, is not a risk-free procedure. Complications after orbital surgery can include infection, implant migration, mydriasis, epiphora, persistent diplopia, enophthalmos, infraorbital numbness, retrobulbar hemorrhage, and blindness. Blindness has been ascribed to retrobulbar hematoma in almost 50% of cases. In our experience, blood collection above the polydioxanone sheet after the treatment of orbital floor fracture can be caused by the tight adhesion of the sheet to the bony edges of the fracture. Here, we present a simple procedure to avoid this potentially dangerous complication.     

The use of maxillary sinus endoscopy in the diagnosis of orbital floor fractures.

PURPOSE: The goal of the current study was to evaluate the ability to diagnose the presence of an inferior orbital wall fracture through the use of a transantral endoscopy technique at bedside. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seven trauma patients with initial axial computed tomography (CT) scan findings consistent with an orbital floor fracture were studied. Before endoscopy, the patients underwent a coronal CT scan with 3-mm cuts for later comparison with the endoscopic findings. The surgeon performing the endoscopy procedure was blinded to the results of the coronal CT scan. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and measurement for enophthalmos were performed before endoscopy. The endoscopic procedure was performed at the bedside using local anesthesia. A trocar was used in the canine fossa to gain access to the maxillary sinus. A 30 degrees and then a 70 degrees endoscope were introduced through the trocar to evaluate the integrity of the orbital floor (ie, maxillary sinus roof). The degree of mucosal injury of the orbital floor and the presence of blood or orbital contents in the sinus were recorded. The ophthalmologic examination was repeated after completion of endoscopy. RESULTS: The endoscopic procedure was able to be completed in all patients. There was no change in the ophthalmologic examination in any patient as a result of endoscopy. In six of the seven patients studied, the endoscopic findings correlated with the need for surgical intervention to repair the orbital floor predicted on the basis of coronal CT scan. This was determined by the degree of injury to the orbital floor and the presence of hematoma, exposed bone, or fat. In the remaining case, endoscopy was not diagnostic for the presence of a fracture because only ecchymosis of the orbital floor was noted. CONCLUSIONS: The ability to perform endoscopy under local anesthesia at the bedside is useful in those trauma patients whose concomitant injuries may prohibit other diagnostic modalities.     

Reconstruction of a Post Traumatic Anterior Maxillary Defect by Transport Distraction Osteogenesis

Rehabilitation of segmental defects of maxilla presents a reconstructive challenge to obtain an ideal osseous form and height with adequate soft tissue investment. Though variety of prosthetic and surgical reconstructive options like the use of vascularized and non vascularized bone grafts are available they produce less than optimal results. Bone transport distraction is a reliable procedure in various maxillofacial bony defect reconstruction techniques. We describe herein a technique of maxillary bone transport distraction using an indigenously designed, custom made trifocal transport distractor performed in a post traumatic avulsive defect of the anterior maxilla. Transport distraction was successful for anterior maxillary alveolar bony regeneration, with excellent soft tissue cover and vestibular depth, which also helped close an oroantral/oronasal fistula.     

Reconstruction of orbital wall defects with calcium phosphate cement: clinical and histological findings in a sheep model

The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the potential of calcium phosphate cement in the treatment of orbital wall defect fractures in an adult sheep model, and to compare this alloplastic material to autologous calvaria split-bone grafts. Clinical, volumetric and histological examinations were carried out of both reconstruction materials. The use of cement made intraoperative corrections easier to perform, and increased the precision of reconstruction of the orbital volume. This material also proved to be osseoconductive. The two materials were used successfully in combination. Regions of most intensive remodelling were the anterior orbital floor and the adjacent orbital rim. The preliminary results of this study demonstrate the potential of calcium phosphate cement as a useful biomaterial in the reconstruction of the anterior orbital region. Further animal and clinical trials are necessary to investigate its ability as a carrier for mediators where bone healing requires influence or support.     

Odontogenic infection leading to orbital cellulitis as a complication of fracture of the zygomatic bone

We describe a 51-year-old man in whom chronic maxillary sinusitis developing from a deep periodontal pocket, at 26, gave rise to cellulitis of the left orbit. The immediate cause was a fracture of the left zygomatic bone with some displacement of the infraorbital margin and the orbital floor. Treatment consisted of drainage and antibiotic medication. The zygomatic bone fracture was not reduced. Eye movements returned to normal and visual acuity was not permanently affected.     

Various applications of titanium mesh screen implant to orbital wall fractures.

As the number of high velocity injuries increases, orbital wall fractures that involve other facial bone fractures, especially those showing multiple crushed fractures have become increasingly common. However, owing to its complex anatomic structure, our inability to visualize details and relatively thin orbital wall, corrective restorations and fixations are very difficult. Recently several reports have claimed good results using titanium implants to repair orbital fracture. Over a period of 36 months, Titanium mesh screen 1.0 (SYNTHES) were applied to the repair of orbital fracture in various ways, taking 39 examples of orbital wall fracture patients requiring operating treatment. A titanium mesh screen 1.0 was used either as an onlay implant after it was shaped to fit the anatomical shape of the fracture portion, or as cover implant to fix bony pieces after repairing a severely crushed fracture on the orbital rim or maxillary wall segments. 1.3-mm micro-screws were used to fix the titanium mesh screen when needed. The titanium mesh screen 1.0 was rigid, yet malleable enough to get the desired shape. It could be folded and screwed easily, and was also easy for follow-up with fewer artifacts on the CT findings. Therefore, we could restore and fix much easier and faster even crushed tiny bony pieces without loss and achieve more accurate three-dimensional anatomical reconstruction of orbital wall fracture.     

Endoscopically assisted computer-guided repair of internal orbital floor fractures: an updated protocol for minimally invasive management

BackgroundPerforming accurate anatomical reconstruction is a challenging task in the treatment of internal orbital floor fractures. Compared with traditional transcutaneous incisions, endoscopic transmaxillary approaches have the advantage of avoiding complications related to external scars, and provide direct access to the orbital floor. Autogenous bone provides the ideal material for defect reconstruction, but determination of the correct size and shape of the graft is crucial for a stable support. This study introduces a new protocol for the treatment of internal orbital floor fractures that combines endoscopy, virtual reality, and 3D printing. The authors also investigated the impact of computer-aided surgery (CAS) on the overall accuracy of reconstruction in aiming to achieve the triple objective of restoring anatomy, volume, and function.Materials and methodsFourteen patients with orbital floor fractures were recruited for this study. High-resolution CT scans provided appropriate imaging for detailed orbital floor defect visualization. A virtual reconstruction of the orbital floor defect was developed and a 3D printed template was fabricated to provide intraoperative guidance in the graft harvesting phase, according to the orbital defect. Virtual analyses were conducted to evaluate the accuracy of reconstruction both in terms of graft size and graft orientation.ResultsPostoperative CT scans showed that in all cases orbital floor reconstruction was successfully performed, resulting in restoration of the correct globe position. No intraoperative complications occurred. Correspondence of graft size was evaluated using color-coded maps and RMSE, while comparison of angular measurements allowed the authors to relate simulated and actual reconstruction.ConclusionsOrbital floor reconstruction performed via transmaxillary endoscopy is a safe technique, which allows for detailed visualization of the fracture rim, avoids external scars, and permits an easier reduction of the prolapsed orbital content into the overlying orbital cavity. Virtual planning plays an important role in defining the appropriate geometry of the bone graft and establishing the optimal reconstruction strategy. Our preliminary results indicate that virtual planning and 3D printing should become part of an integrated protocol for the endoscopic treatment of orbital floor fractures.     

Piezoelectric distraction osteogenesis in the atrophic maxillary anterior area: a case report

The reconstruction of a maxillary anterior dentoalveolar defect in patients with trauma has been a challenge for surgeons. Extensive loss of bone and teeth in the anterior maxilla presents a complex problem for reconstruction. This is owing to the difficulty in achieving complete closure using overlying soft tissue. Tension-free sutures cannot be used after a large bone graft because the overlying soft tissue on severe bone defects of the anterior maxilla is often deficient and is attached to the underlying atrophic bone by scarring. Distraction osteogenesis provides a method to regain both hard tissue and soft tissue without any grafting. We describe a patient who had severe maxillary anterior bony defects that were restored by means of piezoelectric distraction osteogenesis, followed by dental implant placement. Clinical, radiological, and histological results showed that the reconstruction was successful.     

Late enophthalmos mimicking silent sinus syndrome secondary to orbital trauma

The authors present a retrospective case report of a patient who experienced late enophthalmos after blunt orbital trauma. A 27-year-old man presented with subacute onset of enophthalmos, hypoglobus, superior sulcus deformity, and computed tomography evidence of a collapsed maxillary sinus 6 months after sustaining an ipsilateral moderately displaced orbital floor fracture. He was taken to surgery for left endoscopic maxillary antrostomy and implantation of an alloplastic orbital floor graft. Two months after surgery, the patient's diplopia, enophthalmos, hypoglobus, and superior sulcus deformity were markedly improved. Reestablishment of maxillary sinus aeration, the orbital floor, and the medial wall successfully relieved the symptoms and signs of maxillary wall implosion. The mechanism of this rare condition, which shares features similar to silent sinus syndrome, is presented.     

Closure of anterior palate fistulae.

Attempts at closure of anterior palate fistulas using local tissue have resulted in a high rate of failure. In addition most of these patients have associated maxillary collapse which must be corrected prior to surgery. A technique using a buccal mucosal flap to gain unscarred tissue for the anterior closure and bone grafts to fill the bony defect has been performed in nineteen patients with anterior palate fistulas. The results have been satisfactory from a functional and esthetic standpoint. In addition associated deformities have been corrected simultaneously.     

Vertical root fractures in endodontically treated teeth part I: clinical and radiographic diagnosis

A correct and quick diagnosis of endodontically treated vertically fractured teeth is important for two main reasons: (1) the differential diagnosis between the clinical and radiographic appearance of periodontal disease and endodontic failures, and (2) the delay in making the correct diagnosis will result in rapid loss of supporting bone, especially on the buccal side. Typical clinical signs in the maxillary and mandibular premolars and mesial root of the mandibular molars, which are the most susceptible roots and teeth, for fracture are a highly located sinus tract and a deep bony defect along the root facing the fracture line. In the maxillary and mandibular premolars and the mesial root of mandibular molars, typical bony radiolucencies are the halo, vertical and periodontal types. Radiolucency in the bifurcation was typical in vertical root fractures of mandibular molars.