Retrospective analysis of 132 patients with orbital fracture

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and epidemiological features of 132 patients with orbital wall fracture who were treated at Şişli Etfal Teaching and Research Hospital, Istanbul, between 2005-2012.

The medical records of the patients with a diagnosis of orbital fracture were reviewed and analyzed. The patients were evaluated by age, gender, etiology, symptoms, examination findings, fracture location, associated injuries, treatment, and complications.

The mean follow-up time was 9 (6-16) months. The male-to-female ratio was 5.3-1. The average age was 32 (6-82) years. The leading causes of orbital fractures were traffic accidents (36%) followed by assaults (32%). The most frequently affected orbital wall was the medial wall (33%). The main symptom was throbbing pain in the traumatized area (100%), and the main examination finding was periorbital edema and ecchymosis (100%). The most frequent associated injury was cerebral trauma (14%). Sixty-seven patients (50.1%) were managed with medical treatment, and 65 patients (49.9%) underwent surgical treatment. The most common complication in the late period was dermatomal sensory loss (11%).

This study makes clear that the frequency of orbital injuries may be decreased by preventing traffic accidents, by taking precautions in the event they occur, and by promulgating social and educational work against violence.