Linear-type orbital floor fracture with or without muscle involvement

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Plastic Surgery
• Radiology

Background:

• Surgical repair indications for orbital blowout fractures remain debated.
• Fracture type variation may contribute to inconsistent outcomes.
• Linear-type orbital floor fractures present unique management challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate surgical outcomes for linear-type orbital floor blowout fractures.
• To determine the impact of muscle entrapment on recovery.
• To correlate computed tomographic (CT) findings with clinical results.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 22 patients with linear-type orbital floor fractures.
• Evaluation of demographics, clinical presentation, and CT scans.
• Assessment of surgical timing, postoperative course, and functional recovery.

Main Results:

• 14 patients underwent surgery for diplopia without enophthalmos.
• CT identified "missing rectus" (muscle entrapment) in 5 patients with severe vertical diplopia.
• 20 patients achieved full eye motility; 2 with "missing rectus" had residual diplopia, requiring over 1 month for recovery.

Conclusions:

• CT findings, specifically muscle involvement, are critical for managing linear-type orbital blowout fractures.
• Timely surgical decisions based on integrated clinical and radiological data are essential.
• Optimal management and rehabilitation protocols are crucial for satisfactory patient outcomes.