Transnasal Medial Canthopexy Supported with Autogenous Bone Graft: A New Method for Repair of Traumatic Telecanthus

Surgical management of naso-orbito-ethmoidal fractures: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Naso-orbito-ethmoidal fractures (NOE) fractures are uncommon but critical injuries. This review aims to investigate the patient factors, procedural factors, and postoperative outcomes associated with the surgical management of NOE fractures.

STUDY DESIGN

PubMed and Scopus databases were systematically searched between 1993 and 2023 using the search strategy "(naso-orbito-ethmoidal OR nasoethmoid OR nasoorbitoethmoidal) AND fracture." Articles reporting clinical studies investigating the surgical management of NOE fractures were included. Articles that were duplicates, non-English, or non-full text; reported an unclear age range; reported insufficient data; and/or reported on a sample size less than 10 were excluded. Data on patient factors, procedural factors, and postoperative outcomes were extracted.

RESULTS

Of the 412 articles identified, 6 eligible articles (retrospective case series) representing 95 adult cases and 84 pediatric cases were included. The mean ages were 29.0 and 10.2 years, respectively. Most cases were male (65.3%; 73.9%). Motor vehicle accidents were the most common mechanism of injury (79.2% and 50.0%, respectively). Coronal incision was the most common approach. Epiphora (n = 33) and scar problems (n = 21) were the most common complications in adult and pediatric cases, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Further robust longitudinal studies with a clear description of fracture classification and surgical timing would be helpful. Gaps in knowledge include concomitant injuries, digitally-assisted applications, and risk factors for adverse outcomes.

Naso-Orbital-Ethmoid Fracture Repair Techniques: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE

Naso-orbital-ethmoid (NOE) complex fractures present a challenge to repair. The classification system used to categorize the fracture type was established in 1991 based off the medial canthal tendon attachment. The primary objective was to systematically review the literature outlining repair techniques for NOE fracture after the adoption of the Markowitz classification system.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science to identify peer-reviewed research. Eligible studies were peer-reviewed articles reporting on operative techniques used to repair NOE fractures in adult patients after 1991. Two investigators independently reviewed all articles and extracted data. Level of evidence was assessed by Oxford Center for Evidence-based Medicine guidelines.

RESULTS

This review identified 16 articles that met inclusion/exclusion criteria representing 517 patients. One article outlined a closed reduction technique with transnasal wiring. The remaining articles discussed open approaches with various exposure techniques, most common being the coronal incision. Miniplates and screws were most often implemented for rigid fixation as well as transnasal wiring to repair disrupted medial canthal tendon and canthal bearing bone in Type 2 and 3 NOE fractures. Ten of the studies included in this review had a level of evidence of 4.

CONCLUSIONS

NOE fractures present a complex fracture pattern and challenge to repair. New exposure techniques and multidisciplinary approaches have been described. However, fixation techniques have remained relatively consistent through the years. Surgeon preference and comfort with performing the specific techniques leads to the best patient outcomes. With the low level of evidence referenced, more robust research is needed to evaluate these techniques.