Post-traumatic enophthalmos secondary to orbital fat atrophy: a volumetric analysis

Intraoral Approach for Zygomaticomaxillary Complex and Orbital Floor Fracture With a Customized Ballooning Technique

The zygomaticomaxillary complex and the orbital floor are commonly affected by mid-face fractures; their fractures pose challenges in reconstruction and can result in complications, such as enophthalmos. This study explores an intraoral approach with the help of a customized balloon technique and a contrast agent as an alternative to the conventional methods. A case report of a 67-year-old man with complex midfacial trauma is presented. The surgical process involved open reduction through an intraoral approach along with a transantral approach with the customized balloon technique. The procedure aimed to achieve reduction, fixation, and reconstruction of a complex mid-face fracture.

Efficacy and Safety of Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Implantation in the Correction of Long-Term Posttraumatic Enophthalmos

SUMMARY

Long-term enophthalmos is a common orbital fracture sequela. Various autografts and alloplastic materials have been studied in posttraumatic enophthalmos repair. However, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) implantation in late enophthalmos repair has rarely been reported. The authors report novel use of ePTFE for late posttraumatic enophthalmos repair. This retrospective study included patients with posttraumatic long-term enophthalmos who underwent hand-carved ePTFE intraorbital implantation for enophthalmos correction. Computed tomography data were collected preoperatively and at follow-up. The volume of ePTFE, the degree of proptosis (DP), and enophthalmos were measured. Postoperative and preoperative DP and enophthalmos were compared using the paired t test. The correlation between ePTFE volume and DP increment was established using linear regression. Complications were identified by chart review. From 2014 to 2021, 32 patients were included, with a mean follow-up of 19.59 months. The mean volume of implanted ePTFE was 2.39 ± 0.89 mL. After surgery, the DP of the affected globe improved significantly, from 12.75 ± 2.12 mm to 15.06 ± 2.50 mm ( P < 0.0001). A significant linear correlation was found between ePTFE volume and DP increment ( P < 0.0001). Enophthalmos was substantially ameliorated from 3.35 ± 1.89 mm to 1.09 ± 2.07 mm ( P < 0.0001). Twenty-five patients (78.23%) had postoperative enophthalmos of less than 2 mm. Infection and implant dislocation were not observed. The authors concluded that ePTFE intraorbital implantation exhibited long-term efficacy and safety for late posttraumatic enophthalmos repair and represents an effective and predictable alternative.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, IV.

Changes in Facial Symmetry Following Computer-Assisted Secondary Correction of Craniofacial Fractures

OBJECTIVE

For patients without dysfunctions, the main purpose of secondary correction for craniofacial fractures is restoring facial symmetry. Computer-assisted surgery techniques including virtual surgical planning and intraoperative navigation provide the help to restore the bony symmetry as much as possible. The authors retrospectively quantitatively analyzed patients who received computer-assisted secondary correction for craniofacial fractures on facial symmetry pre and postoperation.

METHODS

This observational study reviewed the medical records of 17 patients requiring secondary correction for craniofacial fractures. Pre and postoperative computed tomography data were used to quantitatively analyze the changes in facial symmetry and enophthalmos.

RESULT

All patients enrolled in this study showed mid-facial asymmetry but without dysfunctions except for enophthalmos, and 5 patients had bone defects in the frontal-temporal area. The corrective surgical techniques were different for each patient according to their specific condition. Virtual surgical planning with or without intraoperative navigation was performed for all patients. Compared with the preoperative condition, their facial symmetry was significantly improved. The maximum discrepancy value between the affected side and the mirrored unaffected side decreased from 8.10 ± 2.69 to 3.74 ± 2.02 mm postoperatively, and the mean discrepancy value decreased from 3.58 ± 1.29 to 1.57 ± 0.68 mm. In addition, the Enophthalmos Index decreased from 2.65 to 0.35 mm.

CONCLUSION

This observational study objectively demonstrated that computer-assisted secondary correction for craniofacial fractures can significantly improve facial symmetry. And the authors recommend that virtual surgical planning and intraoperative navigation should be a must step in craniofacial fracture correction.

Patient Specific Implants for Orbital Reconstruction in the Treatment of Silent Sinus Syndrome: Two Case Reports

Silent sinus syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by ipsilateral enophthalmos and hypoglobus following a collapse of the orbital floor, in the presence of asymptomatic long-term maxillary sinusitis. It results in enophthalmos, hypoglobus and deepening of the superior palpebral sulcus. A standardized treatment protocol for this infrequent syndrome has not yet been established. The management includes restoration of maxillary sinus ventilation with functional endoscopic sinus surgery and orbital reconstruction, either concurrently or separately. In this paper, the authors presented two patients successfully treated with patient-specific implants, and intraoperative navigation. These cases highlight the benefit of computer-assisted planning and titanium patient-specific implants in the management of silent sinus syndrome. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that described the use of PSI with titanium spacers performed with the aid of intraoperative navigation for SSS treatment. Advantages, drawbacks of this technique and treatment alternatives currently available in the literature were also discussed.

Widening Aging Eyes and Ending Outdoor Tearing with Retrobulbar Injections of Dermal Fillers

As people age, the intraorbital fat may diminish and palpebral fissures may narrow, causing the eyes to increasingly tear outside in cold weather. As the bulbus recedes from the conjunctiva, a "wind trap" is formed in the lateral corner of the eye. This wind trap appears to irritate the adjacent lacrimal gland. In this article, an 84-year-old patient experienced annoying outdoor tearing despite having undergone three tarsal strip canthopexies during the past 20 years.

Methods

Retrobulbar injections of 3.5-mL high-viscous dermal fillers (Bellafill or Radiesse) pushed the eyeballs forward, aligned the bulbus with the conjunctiva, and closed the wind trap behind the lateral canthus. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the filler material in the posterior lateral corner of the orbit.

Results

The effect was immediate: the patient's constant outdoor tearing had resolved after the first treatment of his senile enophthalmos. In addition, the narrow palpebral fissure had widened by 2 mm and rejuvenated his aging eyes.

Conclusions

An eyeball that has receded with age can be pushed forward with a retrobulbar injection of a long lasting dermal filler to reattach to the eyelids.

Supramuscular upper blepharoplasty approach to orbital roof and/or lower anterior table frontal sinus fractures: A meta-narrative review

BACKGROUND

An approach to orbital roof fractures (ORFs) and/or lower anterior table frontal sinus fractures (LATFSFs) is a challenging task. The conventional coronal approach (CCA) appears to suit multiple/complex fractures of the upper face, while periorbital transcutaneous incisions (PTIs), e.g. gull wing, open sky, butterfly, and Lynch incisions, often impair aesthetic outcomes. The aims of this paper were to provide an overview of the supramuscular upper blepharoplasty approach (SUBA) to ORFs/LATFSFs.

METHODS

Using a meta-narrative review study design, the investigators enrolled published data extracted from PubMed/Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar concerning SUBA to ORFs/LATFSFs. Only publications with the highest and most recent level of evidence (LoE) in English, French or German available until 6 May 2022 were included. The LoE were evaluated using the 2011 Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEBM)'s classification.

RESULTS

In total, 70 articles were included; however, most contained low LoE. Under general and local anaesthesia, SUBA to ORFs/LATFSFs can be performed safely and appeared to be superior to its submuscular counterpart in terms of fewer risks of adjacent tissue injuries, and speedy operative time (maximal 5 min. in experienced hands).

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to CCA and PTIs, the SUBA is a minimally invasive approach to the ORF/LATFSF with favourable aesthetic outcomes, direct visualisation of the fracture, quick operative time, rare complications, and easy learning.

Secondary Correction of Posttraumatic Enophthalmos

Posttraumatic enophthalmos (PE) arises when the ocular globe is displaced posteriorly and inferiorly in the orbital cavity due to a mismatch in orbital volume and orbital content. This most commonly happens after orbital fractures. The resulting disruptions to aesthetic form and ocular functions often necessitate surgical correction for reconstruction and restoration. The purpose of surgical management of PE is to reconstruct orbital shape and volume as well as to restore any herniated orbital content. This can be particularly challenging in cases involving large defects that require complex orbital reconstruction. Recent advancements in computer-aided surgery have introduced innovative and important tools to assist surgeons with these difficult cases. The ability to create customized, patient-specific implants can facilitate reconstruction involving complicated anatomy. Additionally, intraoperative imaging and intraoperative navigation can serve as useful guides for surgeons to more accurately place implants, especially in cases with limited visualization, in order to achieve optimal outcomes.

Patient specific implants in orbital reconstruction: A pilot study

Purpose

Successful repair of the orbital skeleton restores function and cosmesis by normalizing globe position and allowing full motility of the extraocular muscles. Routine repairs are successful with standard implants. However, defects that are irregular or cause volume deficiency can be challenging to repair. The development of patient specific implants (PSI) offers an additional tool in complex cases. Herein, we report our experience using PSI for orbital reconstruction.

Methods

An IRB-approved review was conducted of consecutive patients who received PSI from 8/2016–9/2018. Demographic and examination findings were recorded. PSI was designed using high-density porous polyethylene or polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and implanted for repair. The postoperative course was reviewed for outcomes and complications.

Results

Eight patients were identified. Two had silent sinus syndrome, 3 were complex facial fracture revisions, and 3 were post-oncologic reconstruction. Seven received porous polyethylene implants, and 1 had a PEEK implant. Mean follow up time was 10.2 months (3.3–28.3). All had an improved functional and aesthetic result. Diplopia and enophthalmos completely resolved in 60% of fracture and silent sinus patients. All fracture and silent sinus patients were orthotropic without diplopia in primary gaze at last follow up. Tumor patients had improvement in symmetry and functionality. There were no complications.

Conclusion and importance

Complex orbital skeleton derangements can be difficult to repair and standard implants may incompletely resolve the anatomic problem. In challenging cases, PSI may better achieve an aesthetically and anatomically successful outcome and improve functionality.