Endoscopic and Transconjunctival versus Transcaruncular and Transconjunctival Reconstruction of Medial and Inferior Orbital Wall Fractures

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare two combined surgical techniques, endoscopic endonasal surgery with transconjunctival reconstruction and transcaruncular surgery with transconjunctival reconstruction, when used to treat both medial and inferior orbital wall fractures. METHODS: A retrospective review of 63 patients who were followed up from January 2011 to December 2014 at Inha University Hospital for surgical reconstruction of combined medial and inferior orbital wall fractures was undertaken. We compared between the patients the computed tomographic scans, diplopia, extraocular muscle (EOM) movements, and Hertel's exophthalmometer exams pre- and post-6 months surgery. A total of 29 patients received endoscopic transnasal surgery with trasconjunctival reconstruction, and 34 received transcaruncular surgery with trans-conjunctival reconstruction. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two combined methods in terms of the primary and peripheral gaze diplopia or the restriction of EOM movement 6 months after surgery. However, statistically significant differences were observed in exophthalmometer measurements 6 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The two combined surgical methods showed similar results in terms of postoperative primary and peripheral gaze diplopia, EOM restriction, and enophthalmos. With respect to postoperative peripheral diplopia, endoscopic endosnasal surgery with transconjunctival reconstruction showed several advantages over the other method considered in this study. An appropriate surgical method should be selected by comparing the relative advantages and disadvantages.