Using the Endoscopic Transconjunctival and Transcaruncular Approach to Repair Combined Orbital Floor and Medial Wall Blowout Fractures

Abstract

Purpose: To demonstrate the effectiveness of the endoscopic transcaruncular and transconjunctival approach in the repair of combined medial and inferior orbital wall fractures. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on 160 patients with combined medial and inferior orbital wall fractures. All patients underwent surgery via an endoscopic transcaruncular and transconjunctival approach without lateral canthotomy, performed by a single surgeon. Porous polyethylene sheets (1.0 mm in thickness) were implanted to cover the orbital defects. The minimal postoperative follow-up period was 6 months. The authors evaluated enophthalmos, diplopia, and ocular motility pre and postoperatively and report surgical complications. Results: A total of 160 patients were included, comprising 121 men and 39 women. The mean patient age was 33.9 +/- 14.1 years, and the mean postoperative follow-up period was 12 months. The average enophthalmos was 3.20 mm preoperatively, and the mean improvement at 6 months after surgery was 2.82 mm. One patient suffered a canalicular laceration after surgery, and another retrobulbar hemorrhage; however, both of these complications resolved with appropriate management. Otherwise, there were no significant surgical complications including newly developed diplopia, decreased visual acuity, or cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Conclusions: The endoscopic transcaruncular and transconjunctival approach is a useful and promising technique to repair combined medial and inferior orbital wall fractures.