Effective Reduction of Orbital Floor Fracture With Customized Balloon Using Contrast Agent And Micro Saw

The purpose of this article is to introduce simple, minimally invasive, more effective, and more comfortable method using a customized balloon with contrast agent for orbital floor fracture. The customized balloon was fabricated to compensate for its shortcomings, based on the experiences from four patients who underwent the surgery of orbital floor fracture using a Foley catheter.In a 33-year-old female patient with only orbital floor fracture, the reduction was performed using a transmaxillary approach with a customized balloon. The customized balloon was made using latex glove and 6 French gavage tube, and the contrast agent was injected within the balloon. A micro saw was used to form a window on the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus. Compared to the round bur, a micro saw can create an internal bevel along with minimal bone removal, which makes it possible to insert the bone fragment tightly without falling into the maxillary sinus when the fragment is repositioned. The use of contrast agent makes it more visible to determine the position of the balloon instantly during surgery by take portable radiograph. The balloon has removed after 3 weeks and no diplopia or no enophthalmos was observed. There remained very small defect on the anterior sinus wall about the size of gavage tube.The transmaxillary approach, along with a conjunctival or subciliary approach, can be a good choice for the treatment of orbital fractures. Compared to the conventional Foley catheter, the application of a customized balloon and contrast agent supports the entire orbital floor evenly and wide, and fills the maxillary sinus without an empty space. It is easy to check the location of the balloon through x-ray photography during surgery, and has a very little discomfort for the patient.