• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.24-29
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• 2013

Background: The incidence of blow out fractures is increasing and the techniques of diagnosis and treatment have been recently evolving. Despite its clinical significance, there has been no study on orbital inferiomedial blow out fractures. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the clinical significance of treatment of orbital inferiomedial blow out fractures. Methods: A retrospective review of fifty-seven patients who could be followed up for at least 1 year after surgical reconstruction of pure inferiomedial blow out fracture was undertaken. The transconjunctival approach was performed in all cases. The onlay technique was used in 32 patients and the inlay/sheet method was used in 25 patients. We evaluated the clinical outcomes using the chi-square test. Results: In the group using the onlay technique, postoperative diplopia and enophthalmos were observed in 14 cases and 3 cases, respectively. Of these, 5 cases and 3 cases lasted for more than 6 months, respectively. In the group using the inlay/sheet method, postoperative diplopia was observed in 9 cases, but there were no cases of enophthalmos. Among the 9 diplopia cases, 4 lasted for more than 6 months. Conclusion: Postoperative diplopia and enophthalmos were increased after treatment of inferiomedial blow out fractures compared to isolated medial (0.6%, 0.3%) or inferior (1.8%, 0.6%) blow out fractures. Therefore, careful dissection is necessary not to injure the inferior oblique muscle to decrease the incidence of postoperative diplopia. Moreover, the inlay/sheet method is an effective option for reconstruction of inferiomedial blow out fractures.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.43-47
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• 2011

Purpose: Sensory impairment in infraorbital nerve is common symptom following mid-facial fractures. The purpose of this study is to document the incidence of sensory impairment in infraorbital nerve following midfacial fractures and its recovery. Methods: Three hundreds fourteen patients with midfacial fracture were included involving emergence areas of infraorbital nerve. Fractures were classified into zygoma fracture, maxilla fracture, complex comminuted fracture and pure blow out fracture. Neurosensory function was assessed with clinical symptoms and light touch test in infraorbital nerve regions. Patients were followed and sensory function was evaluated immediately, 1, 3 and 6 months after trauma. Results: The total series consisted of 198 zygoma fractures, 19 maxilla fractures, 30 complex comminuted fractures and 67 pure blow out fractures. The incidence of sensory impairment was 60% (63% in zygoma fractures, 84% in maxilla fractures, 93% in complex comminuted fractures, 31% in pure blow out fractures). Persistent sensory impairments were remained in 32% (33% in zygoma fractures, 47% in maxilla fractures, 73% in complex comminuted fractures, 6% in pure blow out fractures) 6 months after trauma. Younger patients had better prognosis than older patients in recovery of infraorbital nerve function ($p$ <0.05, $x^2$-test). Mean recovery time was 11 weeks. Conclusion: The incidence of post-traumatic sensory impairment was different according to fracture types. Age of patients and fracture type were important factors that influence to recovery of sensory impairment. Complex comminuted fracture had poor prognosis, and pure blow out fractures had better prognosis than other fractures.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.44-50
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the causes of blow-out fractures, the computed tomography findings, and the associated facial bone fractures in aged patients. Methods: This study was performed by conducting a chart review. From January 2004 to December 2007, the patients who visited the emergency room of Asan Medical Center and were diagnosed as having a blow-out fracture were included in the study population. Patients 60 years of age or older were grouped as the aged group while patients younger than 60 years of age were grouped as the control group. Results: Between the aged group and the control group, there was a difference in the causes of blow-out fractures. The most common cause of blow-out fracture was a slip down in the aged group and violence in the control group (p<0.05). There were no differences in associated symptoms. Extraocular muscle herniation was the only statistically different computed tomography findings. In associated facial bone fractures, the most common fractures were the zygoma in the aged group and the nasal bone in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: In patients 60 years of age or older, the most common cause of blow-out fracture was a slip down, and the most common associated facial bone fracture was a zygomatic fracture.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.85-90
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• 2010

Purpose: The goals of a blow-out fracture reconstruction are to restore the osseous continuity, provide support for the orbital contents and prevent functional and anatomic defects. Over the past several years, a range of autogenous and synthetic implants have been used extensively in orbital reconstructions. None of these implants have any absolute indications or contraindications in certain clinical settings. However, in extensive blow-out fractures, it is difficult to restore support of the orbital contents, which can cause more complications, such as enophthalmos. This study examined the clinical outcomes of extensive or comminuted blow-out fractures that were reconstructed by the simultaneous use of a titanium mesh plate and $Medpor^{(R)}$. Methods: Eighty six patients with extensive orbital fractures, who were admitted between March 1999 and February 2007, were reviewed retrospectively. The patients' chart and CT were inspected for review. Twenty three patients were operated on with both a titanium mesh plate (Matrix MIDFACE pre-formed orbital plate, Synthes, USA) and $Medpor^{(R)}$ (Porex, GA, USA). The patients underwent pre-operative CT scans to evaluate the fracture site and measure the area of the fracture. A transconjunctival approach was used, and titanium mesh plates were inserted subperiosteally with screw fixation. $Medpor^{(R)}$ was inserted above the titanium mesh plate. The patients were evaluated post-operatively for enophthalmos, diplopia, sensory disturbances and eyeball movement for a period of at least 6 months. Results: No implant-related complications were encountered during the follow-up period. Enophthalmos occurred in 1 patient, 1 patient had permanent sensory disturbance, and 3 patients complained of ocular pain and fatigue, which recovered without treatment. Although there were no significance differences between groups, the use of 2 implants had fewer complications. Therefore, it can be an alternative method for treating blow out fractures. Conclusion: The use of both a titanium mesh plate and $Medpor^{(R)}$ simultaneously may be a safe and acceptable technique in the reconstruction of extensive blow-out fractures.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.552-556
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• 2006

Purpose: As the use of computed tomographic scanning spread, the diagnosis of blow-out fractures of the medial orbital wall increased. Conventionally, the surgery of blow-out fractures in medial orbital wall was performed by various approaches with external incision or endoscopic approach. Although the field of orbital surgery has progressed significantly during the last decade, accurate realignment and replacement of component is difficult due to lack of visualization of the fracture site, blind dissection of the orbital wall, and difficulty in insertion of implant. In order to overcome these shortcomings, we explored the use of endoscopic transnasal approach together with subciliary approach. Methods: The entrapped periorbital tissues in the ethmoid sinus were completely reduced endoscopically, and the bone defect of medial orbital wall was reconstructed with $Medpor^{(R)}$ insertion via subciliary approach. This technique was applied to 13 patients who had medial orbital wall fracture. Results: The patients were followed-up for 3 to 24 months with an average of 9 months. The postoperative courses were satisfactory in all cases. Conclusion: The conjunction of endoscopic transnasal and subciliary approach technique seems to produce good results in medial orbital wall fracture.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.71-75
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• 2009

Purpose: Recently, orbital wall fracture is common injuries in the face. Facial CT is essential for the accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment to reconstruct of the orbital wall. The objective of this study was to report the method for accurate measurement of area and shape of the bony defect in the blow-out fractures using facial CT in prior to surgery. Methods: The authors experienced 46 cases of orbital wall fractures and examined for diplopia, sensory disturbance in the area of distribution of the infraorbital nerve, and enophthalmos in the preoperation and followed 1 months after surgery, from August 2007 to May 2008. Bony defect was predicted by measuring continuous defect size from 3 mm interval facial CT. Copying from the defect model (template), we reconstructed orbital wall with resorbable sheet (Inion $CPS^{(R)}$ Inion Oy, Tampere, Finland). Results: One months after surgery using this method, 26 (100%) of the 26 patients improved in the diplopia and sensory disturbance in the area of distribution of the infraorbital nerve. Also 8 (72.7%) of the 11 patients had enophthalmos took favorable turn. Conclusion: This accurate and time-saving method is practicable for determining the location, shape and size of the bony defect. Using this method, we can reconstruct orbital wall fracture fastly and precisely.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2009

Purpose: This study presents a classification of pure medial and inferior blow-out fracture, and confirms the relationship between the types of fractures, postoperative complications and operative methods. Methods: Sixty patients were treated by transnasal endoscopic reduction with $Medpor^{(R)}$ implantation through subciliary incision and foley catheter insertion into maxillary sinus was done if there was extensive orbital floor fracture. Fractures were classified by number of coronal sections from posterior margin of fossa for lacrimal sac to orbital apex in CT. Type I is defined when the medial wall fracture is over 50% and inferior wall fracture below 50%. Type II, when below 50% medial wall fracture and over 50% floor fracture were present. If there were both over 50%, it was classified as Type III and both below 50% for Type IV. Extreme fracture involving orbital buttress was Type V and postoperative findings in all patients were examined. Results: Type I and V were most common and preoperative findings were more likely to present according to extent of inferior fracture. Diplopia remained in 2 cases after additional insertion of foley catheter, but enophthalmos over 2 mm were presented in 3 cases and diplopia in 3 cases were observed who were not treated with foley catheter. Conclusion: Postoperative complications were increased according to extent of fracture, especially buttress involvement. Additional insertion of foley catheter proved its effectiveness in decreasing postoperative complications.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.355-361
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• 2014

Background A blow-out fracture is one of the most common facial injuries in midface trauma. Orbital wall reconstruction is extremely important because it can cause various functional and aesthetic sequelae. Although many materials are available, there are no uniformly accepted guidelines regarding material selection for orbital wall reconstruction. Methods From January 2007 to August 2012, a total of 78 patients with blow-out fractures were analyzed. 36 patients received absorbable mesh plates, and 42 patients received titanium-dynamic mesh plates. Both groups were retrospectively evaluated for therapeutic efficacy and safety according to the incidence of three different complications: enophthalmos, extraocular movement impairment, and diplopia. Results For all groups (inferior wall fracture group, medial wall fractrue group, and combined inferomedial wall fracture group), there were improvements in the incidence of each complication regardless of implant types. Moreover, a significant improvement of enophthalmos occurred for both types of implants in group 1 (inferior wall fracture group). However, we found no statistically significant differences of efficacy or complication rate in every groups between both implant types. Conclusions Both types of implants showed good results without significant differences in long-term follow up, even though we expected the higher recurrent enophthalmos rate in patients with absorbable plate. In conclusion, both types seem to be equally effective and safe for orbital wall reconstruction. In particular, both implant types significantly improve the incidence of enophthalmos in cases of inferior orbital wall fractures.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.44-51
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• 2007

Purpose: Blow-out fracture is one of the most common fractures in facial trauma. It is diagnosed by Computed Tomography(CT) scan, which is considered as the most effective diagnostic tool. Since, the Picture Archiving Communication System(PACS) has been provided recently to many hospitals, doctors are more familiar with imaging software of PACS. Because this software has many useful measuring tools, doctors can measure orbital structure easily and make a plan for treatment with its data. Therefore, authors intended to analyze the data of orbital structure measured with PACS imaging software and evaluate its usefulness. Methods: The charts and CT images of 100 patients, which were 50 patients with medial wall fracture and 50 patients with floor fracture, were reviewed. Patients were selected by pre-determined criteria and their CT images were measured with image software of PACS. 'Extraocular muscle thickness', 'Defect ratio'(ratio of defect area to normal area) and 'Globe position index' were measured and analyzed statistically. Results: The thickness of inferior rectus muscle and medial rectus muscle was simultaneously increased in acute-stage of blow-out fracture. The medial rectus muscle was more thickened in medial wall fracture and inferior rectus was more thickened in floor fracture, respectively. In acute blow-out fracture, globe position is exophthalmic rather than enophthalmic. Especially in floor fracture, numerical value summed up thickness of all extraocular muscle is correlated to the defect ratio and globe position index. Conclusion: Clinicians can decide globe position or presume defect ratio in inferior wall fracture by measurement of CT image in acute blow-out fracture using PACS.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 2011

Purpose: Blow-out fractures can be reduced using various methods. The orbital reconstruction technique using a balloon under endoscopic control has advantages over other methods. However, this method has some problems too, such as postoperative follow-up, management of the balloon catheter, and reduction of the posterior orbital floor. Thus, we developed a simple, effective method for orbital floor reduction that involves molding and shaping the antral balloon catheter. Methods: A 0, 30, or $70^{\circ}$, 4-mm endoscope was placed though a two-point, 5-mm maxillary antrostomy. The balloon catheter is placed directly at the orbital apex to reconstruct the anterior shelf (spherical shape), while it is turned in a U-shape towards the anterior maxilla for the posterior shelf (elliptical shape). Orbital floor defects, compound or comminuted fractures are reconstructed with alloplastic materials through an open lid incision under the endoscopic control. Results: This technique was applied to ten patients with orbital floor fractures: five anterior shelf and five posterior shelf fracture, respectively. Four of the patients had zygomatico-orbital fractures, while the rest had isolated orbital floor fractures. Two patients were given porous polyethylene implants Synpor$^{(R)}$) and three underwent reconstruction with a resorbable mesh plate. No complication associated with this technique was identified. Conclusion: The freestyle placement and selection of a urinary balloon catheter under endoscopic control and the preoperative estimation of the volume enhanced the stabilization of the orbital contour. This method improves the adaptation of the orbital floor without the risk of injuring the surrounding orbital contents, dissecting blindly, or using sharp traction. One drawback of this method is the patient's discomfort from the catheter during treatment.