Ageing increases risk of lower eyelid malposition after primary orbital fracture reconstruction.

Lower eyelid malposition (LEM) is a common sequela after orbital fracture reconstruction. This study aimed to analyse the development of LEM, specifically ectropion and entropion, following primary orbital fracture reconstruction, to identify predictive factors for LEM, and to assess the effect of the eyelid complication on patients' daily lives. The retrospective cohort comprised patients who had undergone orbital floor and/or medial wall fracture reconstruction for recent trauma. Demographics, fracture type and site, surgery and implant-related variables, follow-up time and number of visits, type and severity of LEM, subsequent surgical correction, and patient satisfaction, were analysed. The overall occurrence of LEM was 8%, with ectropion in 6% and entropion in 2% of patients. Older age, complex fractures, transcutaneous approaches, preoperative traumatic lower lid wounds, and implant material were associated with the development of LEM. Of all patients, 3% needed surgical correction of LEM. Six of the 13 patients (46%) who developed LEM required surgical correction. The transconjunctival approach and patient-specific implants should be preferred, especially in elderly patients and those with more complex fractures. LEM often requires subsequent surgical correction, and the treatment period is substantially prolonged, with multiple extra visits to the clinic.

Implant malposition and revision surgery in primary orbital fracture reconstructions.

The aim of the study was to assess factors leading to revision surgery and implant position of primary orbital fracture reconstructions. A retrospective cohort included patients who underwent orbital floor and/or medial wall fracture reconstruction for recent trauma. Demographics, fracture type, surgery and implant-related variables, and postoperative implant position were analyzed. The overall revision surgery rate was 6.5% (15 of 232 surgeries). The rate was highest in combined midfacial fractures with rim involvement (14.0%), lower in zygomatico-orbital fractures (8.7%), and lowest in isolated blowout fractures (3.8%). Fracture type, orbital rim fixation and implant malposition predicted revision. The best positioning was achieved with patient-specific milled titanium implants (mtPSI) and resorbable materials, whereas the poorest with preformed three-dimensional titanium plates. Combined midfacial fractures with rim involvement in particular have a high risk for orbital revision surgery. Within the limitations of the present study, mtPSIs should be preferred in the reconstruction of primary orbital fractures if possible.

Health-related quality of life in patients surgically treated for orbital blow-out fracture: a prospective study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) before and after surgical treatment of orbital blow-out fracture. METHODS: This prospective study comprises of all adult patients undergoing a surgical reconstruction of an orbital blow-out fracture in 2006-2010. Their HRQoL was evaluated for 6 months postoperatively with the aid of the standardized 15D instrument and was compared with that of an age- and gender-standardized sample of the general Finnish population. A complementary questionnaire for more detailed information was also administered. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients completed the study. Mean 15D score among the patients preoperatively (0.898) was statistically significantly and clinically importantly worse than the score of the control population (0.936). Six months postoperatively, the mean 15D score was 0.920, with no significant difference compared with the control population and the significant differences on the different dimensions had disappeared. The most common complaint at 6 months postoperatively was diplopia in daily life (19%). Disturbances in facial sensation (27%) and defects in facial appearance (15%) were the most unpleasant subjective outcomes. CONCLUSION: The HRQoL is significantly decreased after orbital blow-out fracture compared with the general population but will recover completely in 6 months. Thus, the negative impact of orbital blow-out fracture on HRQoL is only transient. Disturbances in facial sensation, defects in facial appearance, and diplopia are the most common subjective complaints after the injury and its surgical treatment. However, these do not appear to affect the overall quality of life in the long term.

Temporomandibular Dysfunction After Surgery of Mandibular Fractures Not Involving the Mandibular Condyle: A Prospective Follow-Up Study.

PURPOSE: Facial trauma can lead to temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD). The aim of this study was to clarify the occurrence and characteristics of TMD in patients surgically treated for mandibular fractures not involving the mandibular condyle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective single-center follow-up study was composed of patients who underwent surgery for non-condylar mandibular fracture. Patients were evaluated at presentation and 6 months after surgery to assess the function of the masticatory system using the Helkimo index. Specifically, this index incorporates 2 complementary subindices: the subjective symptomatic (anamnestic) index (Ai) and the objective clinical dysfunction index (Di). The Ai score was recorded at presentation and 6-month follow-up. The Di score was recorded at 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients completed the study. All patients were men (mean age, 26.2 yr; range, 18 to 47 yr). Four (12.9%) developed severe symptoms of dysfunction during the study period according to the Ai. Clinical findings (Di) were observed in 25 patients (80.6%), but these were not associated with symptoms of dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: TMD is common 6 months after surgery in patients with non-condylar mandibular fractures. Patients with such fractures should be evaluated for dysfunction during follow-ups and referred for further treatment if necessary.