Internal Fixation of Medpor(R) Implant for Prevention of Enophthalmos in Posteriorly Extended Orbital Floor Fracture

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of internal fixation method of Medpor(R) implant with BioSorb(TM)FX screw which is used for prevention of enophthalmos in posteriorly extended large orbital floor fracture. METHODS: From Jun. 1997 to Dec. 2007, 21 patients who were diagnosed with posteriorly extended large orbital floor fractures were classified into two groups. One group(n=11) had undergone reduction surgery with regular Medpor(R) sheets without any fixation method, while the other group(n=10) had their Medpor(R) sheets fixed with the BioSorb(TM)FX screws. The two groups were evaluated by comparison of their enophthalmos degree and effectiveness. RESULTS: In the non-fixation group, six patients had enophthalmos preoperatively and three of them showed persistent enophthalmos postoperatively. In postoperative CT examination, displacement of Medpor(R) implant with soft tissue impaction into maxillary sinus was observed in the patients. In the screw fixation group, three patients had enophthalmos preoperatively, but none of them suffer from complication such as residual enophthalmos, soft tissue impaction, muscle entrapment or optic nerve compression postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Internal fixation method of Medpor(R) implant with BioSorb(TM)FX screw on the medial surface of orbital floor provides firm stabilization of implants and surrounding soft tissues and can be an effective option especially when postoperative implant displacement or malposition was expected.