Treatment of blow-out fracture

Fifteen patients with blow-out fractures were treated in this series. Two patients were treated conservatively and the thirteen others were treated surgically with the transorbital approach. An infraorbital or medial orbital skin incision was made. The periosteum was dissected and entrapment of orbital fat tissue and muscle were resolved. The floor and/or medial wall were reinforced with tantalum mesh (Codman). The operative results were good in 12 patients and fair in one patient, who retained some diplopia. The tantalum mesh is easy to handle and strong enough to reinforce the orbital wall. It can be seen on plain skull film and makes little artifact on CT scan. This mesh is good material for repairing blow-out fractures.