Transoral Endoscopic Plating for Orbital Blowout Fractures

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neurosurgery
• Plastic Surgery

Background:

• Orbital fractures are common craniofacial injuries, accounting for up to 40% of cases.
• Traditional surgical approaches for orbital blowout fractures (OBF) can be invasive.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a transoral endoscopy-assisted plating technique for treating orbital blowout fractures (OBF).

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of 56 patients treated with a transoral endoscopy-assisted approach.
• The technique involved transoral incisions, endoscopic inspections, orbital floor repair with titanium mesh, and fixation.
• Decision-making for immediate versus delayed surgery was based on a 2-week algorithm.

Main Results:

• The overall surgical success rate was 96%.
• Successful treatment resulted in normal globe position, eye movement, and resolution of diplopia.
• Complications were minimal, including transient edema and one case of late infection.

Conclusions:

• The transoral endoscopy-assisted technique is a safe and effective minimally invasive option for treating orbital blowout fractures (OBF), including medial wall involvement.
• This method offers a high success rate with low morbidity.