Orbital fractures: national inpatient trends and complications

The present study aimed to examine cost, demographics, and short-term complications associated with orbital fractures and their surgical repair in the inpatient population in the United States over a 7-year period.

A retrospective cohort study was performed by using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2002 to 2008 and searching the database for discharges classified with International Classification of Disease-9 diagnosis codes of orbital fractures, orbital fracture repair, and associated diagnoses.

There was nearly a 50% increase in the annual number of orbital fracture admissions from 2002 to 2008. Demographics for patients with orbital fractures showed that 68% of them were male, most commonly between 18 and 44 years of age, with 69% of cases at large teaching hospitals. Associated ocular diagnoses included eyelid laceration, commotio retinae, and globe rupture. Approximately 25% of patients underwent surgical repair. Surgical patients were younger than nonsurgical patients by approximately 10 years. An overall complication rate of 15.8% was noted, including: pulmonary complications, diplopia, renal impairment, venous thromboembolism, and wound complications. Orbital fracture repair was associated with approximately 1 extra day of hospitalization and $22,000 in-hospital charges. The rates of pulmonary, wound, and ocular motility complications were significantly higher in the patients undergoing orbital fracture repair (p<0.05).

The number of orbital fractures and associated cost has dramatically increased over the past decade. Acute repair of orbital fractures is common and is associated with a longer hospital course, increased cost, and higher rate of complications.