Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2009 Jun;8(2):99-102.
doi: 10.1007/s12663-009-0026-7. Epub 2009 Aug 11.

Comparison of various approaches for exposure of infraorbital rim fractures of zygoma

Balanand Subramanian  1 , Srimathy Krishnamurthy, P Suresh Kumar, B Saravanan, M Padhmanabhan
Affiliations

Comparison of various approaches for exposure of infraorbital rim fractures of zygoma

Balanand Subramanian et al. J Maxillofac Oral Surg. 2009 Jun.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to randomly compare four incisionssubciliary, subtarsal, infraorbital and transconjunctival with lateral canthotomy for treatment of orbital rim or floor fractures.

Methods: 40 patients with zygomatic complex fractures either isolated or in association with pan facial fractures, were selected for the study. They were divided into four groups of 10 patients each, Group I-Transconjunctival with lateral canthotomy, Group II-Subciliary [single eyelid incision], Group III-Subtarsal incision, and Group IV-Infraorbital incision. The following parameters were compared a) The average time from incision to fracture exposure b) The amount of exposure of the site provided c) The aesthetic appearance of the 'scar' d) Complications e) Factor of 'time' - its effect on scar and complications.

Results: The study revealed that all four incisions provided adequate exposure of fracture site and transconjunctival (22 minutes) required the maximum time for exposure. The complications included ectropion in group I and prolonged edema in group IV. Group II and III patients had relatively lesser number of complications. Group IV patients had visible scar as compared to no scar in group I patients.

Conclusion: We conclude by saying that transconjunctival approach provides an excellent aesthetic result when done meticulously. However the subciliary and the subtarsal incisions provide a more rapid, direct approach to the orbital floor and infraorbital rim with minimal morbidity and an aesthetically acceptable scar. The infraorbital incision is the least acceptable aesthetically.

Keywords: Infraorbital; Subtarsal approach; Superciliary; Transconjunctival.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Tessier P. The conjunctival approach to the orbital floor and maxilla in congenital malformation and trauma. J Maxillofac Surg. 1973;1(1):3–8. doi: 10.1016/S0301-0503(73)80005-0. - DOI - PubMed
    1. McCord C.D., Jr, Moses J.L. Exposure of the inferior orbit with fornix incision and lateral canthotomy. Ophthalmic Surg. 1979;10(6):53–63. - PubMed
    1. Zingg M., Chowdhury K., Ladrach K., Vuillemin T., Sutter F., Raveh J. Treatment of 813 zygomatic lateral orbital complex fractures. New aspects. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1991;117(6):611–620. - PubMed
    1. Zachariades N., Mezitis M., Anagnostopoulos D. Changing Trends in the treatment of zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures: a 12-year evaluation of methods used. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1998;56(10):1152–1156. doi: 10.1016/S0278-2391(98)90759-5. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Fonseca Oral and Maxillofacial surgery. Trauma. 2000;3:159–163.

LinkOut - more resources