Reconstruction of Medial Orbital Wall Fractures without Subperiosteal Dissection: The "Push-Out" Technique.

BACKGROUND: Various surgical methods for repairing medial orbital wall fractures have been introduced. The conventional technique requires total separation of the displaced orbital bones from the orbital soft tissues. However, subperiosteal dissection around the fracture can cause additional damage. The aim of the present study is to introduce a method of reconstructing medial orbital wall fractures without subperiosteal dissection named the "push-out" technique.

METHODS: Six patients with post-traumatic enophthalmos resulting from an old medial orbital wall fracture and 10 patients with an acute medial orbital wall fracture were included. All were treated with the push-out technique. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) was performed to assess the correct positioning of the implants. The Hertel scale and a comparison between preoperative and postoperative orbital volume were used to assess the surgical results.

RESULTS: Restoration of the normal orbital cavity shape was confirmed by examining the postoperative CT scans. In the old fracture group, the median orbital volume of the fractured side was 29.22 cm3 preoperatively, and significantly improved postoperatively to a value of 25.13 cm3. In the acute fracture group, the median orbital volume of the fractured side was 28.73 cm3 preoperatively, and significantly improved postoperatively to a value of 24.90 cm3. Differences on the Hertel scale also improved, from 2.13 mm preoperatively to 0.25 mm postoperatively in the old fracture group and from 1.67 mm preoperatively to 0.33 mm postoperatively in the acute fracture group.

CONCLUSIONS: The push-out technique can be considered a good alternative choice for old medial orbital wall fractures with posttraumatic enophthalmos, acute medial orbital wall fractures including large fractured bone segments, and single-hinged greenstick fractures.