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Classification of orbital floor fractures
S A Lauer1, B Snyder, E Rodriguez
1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA.
The Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Trauma
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Blowout fractures occur medial to the infraorbital nerve, while rim fractures involve the infraorbital nerve. This study proposes a new classification for orbital floor fractures based on their location relative to this nerve.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Radiology
- Anatomy
Background:
- Orbital floor fractures are common facial injuries.
- Accurate classification is crucial for effective treatment and surgical planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define the precise anatomic location of orbital floor fractures.
- To propose a novel classification system for orbital floor fractures based on their relationship to the infraorbital nerve.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 24 orbital floor fractures using computed tomography (CT) scans.
- Detailed evaluation of fracture location relative to the infraorbital nerve and orbital rim involvement.
Main Results:
- Blowout fractures (without rim involvement) were located medial to or spanning both sides of the infraorbital nerve.
- Fractures with rim involvement were associated with zygomatico-orbital or Le Fort II/III fractures and located lateral to or spanning both sides of the nerve.
- No blowout fractures were exclusively in the lateral orbital floor, and no rim fractures were exclusively in the medial orbital floor.
Conclusions:
- The infraorbital nerve serves as a key landmark for classifying orbital floor fractures.
- A proposed classification system based on the infraorbital nerve's relationship can improve fracture description and management.