[Trap-door fractures of the orbit floor. Apropos of 8 cases]

Trapdoor fractures of the floor of the orbit were first described in 1965 by Soll and Poley. The authors discuss the pathology and pathogenic theories for these lesions and present 8 cases. The diagnosis is essentially clinical and is frequently supported by computed tomography when it is performed rapidly. The surgical procedure is designed to release the herniated tissues by lowering the orbital floor so as not to aggravate the constrictive lesions. These fractures constitute surgical emergencies and their prognosis depends on the nature of the tissues incarcerated.