Pure Orbital Trapdoor Fractures in Adults: Tight Entrapment of Perimuscular Tissue Mimicking True Muscle Incarceration with Successful Results from Early Intervention

Characteristics and surgical management of pure trapdoor fracture of the orbital floor in adults: a 15-year review

PURPOSE

This retrospective study aims to define the optimal timing of the surgical treatment of orbital floor trapdoor fractures (OFTFs) in adults according to clinical and radiological findings.

METHODS

From January 2006 to December 2020, 382 patients with isolated orbital floor fracture were admitted to the Division of Maxillofacial Surgery of Turin, Italy. The criteria for inclusion were age ≥ 16 years, preoperative computed tomography showing a linear (1a) or medial hinge fracture (1b), diplopia, and 6 months of follow-up data. Aetiology and mechanism of injury, presence of post-traumatic enophthalmos and oculocardiac reflex, time between trauma occurrence and surgery [stratified as < 24 h (urgent treatment), 24-96 h (early treatment), and > 96 h (late treatment)], days of hospitalisation, and clinical outcomes were examinated.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients (18 males; mean age, 23.2 years) presented with OFTFs. The most common cause was sport injury (50%). Type 1a fracture was observed in eight patients (mean age, 19.5 years), type 1b fracture in 16 patients (mean age, 23.6 years). Urgent, early, and late treatments were performed in eight patients each. The mean time between trauma occurrence and surgery was 3,8 days (range: 0-17 days). Resolution of diplopia was observed 1 week after surgery in 10 patients, 1 month in 12. Diplopia persisted in 2 patient, both treated > 96 h after trauma.

CONCLUSION

Although the number of patients was too small to define a standard protocol, the authors recommend early treatment of adult OFTFs to promote complete resolution of diplopia.

A case series of surgical outcomes for orbital blowout fracture with extraocular muscle entrapment

Although early surgical intervention to avoid muscle degeneration in patients with blowout fractures (BOFs) and extraocular muscle entrapment is recommended, there is still no gold standard for the surgical timing of extraocular muscle release. This study aimed to present our 10-year experience with surgical outcomes in BOF patients with extraocular muscle entrapment to provide supporting data for determining the surgical timing for better outcomes. We conducted a retrospective study of patients with BOFs with extraocular muscle entrapment who underwent surgery at a tertiary hospital between December 2009 and October 2019. Their demographics, causes of injury and clinical features including limitation of extraocular movement (EOM) and diplopia were collected. Patients diagnosed with BOF with extraocular muscle entrapment accounted for 3.08% (21/681) of all cases of BOFs over a 10-year period. The patients comprised 20 males and 1 female, with a median age of 17.0 years (IQR, 13-25 years). All 21 patients had diplopia preoperatively, and 20 had EOM limitations. Nausea and vomiting were observed in 5 patients (23.8%). Surgery was performed within 48 hours after injury in 19 cases (within 24 hours in 13 cases), with a median of 17.0 hours (IQR, 11-27). The median operative time was 47.5 minutes (IQR, 31.2-73.7 minutes). The median follow-up period was 9.0 months (IQR, 7-12). At the last follow-up, 4 patients still had EOM limitations and 3 had residual diplopia; however, this did not interfere with their daily activities. Early diagnosis through facial computed tomography and physical examinations and early intervention showed successful surgical outcomes of BOF with extraocular muscle entrapment.

"Trap Door" Orbital Floor Fractures in Adults: Are They Different from Pediatric Fractures?

Background:

“Trap door” orbital floor fractures are usually seen in children. In the linear fracture type, a break occurs in the bones of the orbital floor that permits orbital tissue to prolapse into the fracture site during fracture formation. The bony fragments of the fracture then return to their original position, entrapping the prolapsed orbital tissue. In the hinged fracture type, the fractured part of the floor is minimally displaced into the maxillary sinus and acts as the hinge of a “swinging door” entrapping the orbital tissue.

Methods:

We report on a series of 10 adult patients with hinged orbital floor fractures.

Results:

The mean patient age was 35 years. Seven patients had a pure orbital floor fracture and the remaining 3 patients had fractures of both the orbital floor and the inferior orbital rim. All 10 patients had diplopia in the upgaze. None of the patients had signs of the oculocardiac reflex. None of the CT scans showed a “tear-drop” sign. However, the sagittal CT scans showed evidence of entrapment of the inferior rectus. All patients had a small area of a slightly depressed orbital floor at the site of entrapment, without a bony defect. All patients underwent surgery through an infraorbital incision and a titanium mesh was used in all patients. There were no postoperative complications. All patients regained full range of motion of the globe.

Conclusion:

This is the first series in the literature that reports on the characteristics and outcome of trap door orbital floor fractures in adults.