Laterocaudal approach to the inferior rim of the orbit

Fractures of the orbital floor and orbital rim are frequently treated in maxillofacial departments. Various approaches to the orbital floor are described in the literature. We present an investigation of a modified subciliary approach (laterocaudal approach) with respect to its feasibility and clinical outcome.

Our retrospective study investigated 130 well-documented cases of patients with orbital floor fractures who received surgical reconstruction using a laterocaudal approach, and compared the results with the current literature, with a focus on subciliary and transconjunctival approaches.

111 patients (85.4%) presented a Vancouver scar scale (VSS) of 0.14 patients (10.8%) had a VSS score of 1. No patients had a VSS of 2. Just five patients (3.8%) had a slight ectropium and therefore a VSS score of 3.

The laterocaudal approach can be safely performed and presents advantages over comparable techniques such as the subciliary and transconjunctival approaches if performed correctly.