Surgical treatment of orbital floor fractures

This study retrospectively examines 551 patients with 597 orbital floor fractures for sequelae of enophthalmos and diplopia. Ocular injuries are associated with 6.9% of the fractures. Nondisplaced orbital floor fractures have been treated with observation alone, resulting in an incidence of sequelae of zero in 263 patients. Displaced fractures that had not undergone surgery have resulted in an incidence of sequelae of 18 (34%) in 53 patients. Displaced fractures that had undergone orbital floor exploration have resulted in an incidence of sequelae of 29 (10.3%) in 281 patients. Only one mild loss of visual acuity has complicated the 281 surgical procedures. It is concluded that orbital floor exploration is not indicated in patients with nondisplaced fractures of the orbital floor and that orbital floor exploration is a safe and effective means of reducing the complications associated with displaced fractures of the orbital floor.