Orbitozygomatic fractures with enophthalmos: analysis of 64 cases treated late

To present our treatment experience in delayed orbitozygomatic fracture with enophthalmos and compare the results of traditional surgery, navigation-guided surgery, and 3-dimensional (3D) model-guided surgery in the Departments of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China.

This is a retrospective review of a consecutive clinical case series. From 2008 to 2010, 64 patients diagnosed with delayed orbitozygomatic fractures with enophthalmos were treated in the departments. Computed tomography (CT) scan and ophthalmologic examination were performed before surgery. Traditional surgery and computer-assisted treatment (navigation and 3D model) were used for zygoma reduction. Three materials were applied for orbital reconstruction: hydroxyapatite (HA), porous polyethylene (Medpor; Porex Surgical Inc, Newnan, GA), and titanium mesh. Zygomatic reduction and globe projection of different treatment methods were evaluated by postoperative CT scan and clinical follow-up visits.

Thirty-nine cases with enophthalmos (mean, 4.96 mm) had traditional surgery for fracture reduction and orbital reconstruction, whereas the other twenty-five cases with enophthalmos (mean, 5.71 mm) had computer-assisted surgery consisting of 3D models to pre-bend the titanium mesh for orbital reconstruction and plates for fracture fixation (n = 25) and navigation-guided surgery (n = 11). Postoperative CT with 3D reconstruction showed good zygomatic reduction in 74.3% of the cases with traditional surgery, 85.7% with computer-assisted 3D models only, and 100% with navigation-guided surgery. In the traditional surgery group, 74.2% of the cases had good postoperative globe projection (≤2 mm), 19.4% had mild enophthalmos (≤3 mm), and 6.5% had moderate enophthalmos (≤4 mm). In the group undergoing computer-assisted 3D model surgery, 75% of the cases had good globe projection and 25% had mild enophthalmos. In the navigation-guided surgery group, 90.9% of the cases had good globe projection and 9.1% had mild enophthalmos. Titanium mesh was used for orbital reconstruction in 47 cases (among which, 12 combined with Medpor or HA), whereas 12 had Medpor only and 5 had HA only. Good globe projection was acquired in 74% of the cases with titanium mesh only, 83% with combined materials, 67% with Medpor only, and 20% with HA only.

Computer-assisted surgery can improve the treatment results of delayed orbitozygomatic fracture with enophthalmos. Navigation-guided surgery with a 3D model and titanium mesh with Medpor are the best ways to treat delayed orbitozygomatic fractures with severe enophthalmos.