Infraorbital Nerve Function Following Tailoring of Medpor(R) in Reconstruction of Inferior Orbital Wall Fracture

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: In the orbital floor fracture, sensory impairment due to the damage of the infraorbital nerve is one of the most common symptom and complication. In this report, we have the assumption that tailoring of medpor(R) for decompression may have correlations to the damage and regeneration of the nerve. METHODS: Among patients who had open reduction for pure orbital floor fracture in our hospital from March 2005 to March 2008, we selected 80 cases. In 40 cases, we inserted tailored medpor(R), and in other 40 cases, non-tailored medpor(R) was inserted. Patient's reports were obtained and analyzed, and the pin-prick test and the 2-point discrimination test on the infraorbital nerve regions were done for testing the sensory impairments. RESULTS: The results show that the patients who adopted sculpture of medpor(R) showed higher tendency of recovery of sensory impairments in the patient's subjective report, static touch sensation, static two point discrimination using. And in postoperative 3 months, there are statistically significant recovery of sensory symptoms, signs and the result of sensory tests. CONCLUSION: From these results, tailored medpor(R) in reconstruction of orbital wall fracture may improve recovery of sensory impairments for decreasing of compression of infraorbital nerve.