Endoscopic Transmaxillary Reduction and Balloon Technique for Blowout Fractures of the Orbital Floor

Abstract

The indications for and timing of surgical treatment of blowout fractures of the orbital floor remain controversial. We report good results with the endoscopic transmaxillary reduction and balloon technique for blowout fractures of the orbital floor in the early stage after trauma in a consecutive series of 29 patients treated over the last 3 years, based on the following criteria: 1) diplopia observed by ophthalmological examination, 2) entrapment of intraorbital tissue at the fracture site on diagnostic imaging, mainly using CT scans, and 3) no improvement of diplopia during the acute phase (within one week of injury). Even in the presence of eyelid swelling, this method allows reduction and fixation of the fracture and impacted tissues simply and in a short time. Disappearance of diplopia was reported by 27 patients (93 %) within three months after surgery, and all 20 patients with enophthalmos were cured. There were only 4 cases with transient minor operative complications. Re-entrapment at the fracture site or relapse of symptoms was not seen during follow-up for 5 to 39 months (mean: 23.4 months). The combination of endoscopic transmaxillary reduction and the balloon technique for blowout fractures of the orbital floor is an effective and minimally invasive treatment with a high rate of improvement, not just for disturbances of ocular movement, but also for enophthalmos, which is often a problem in the long term.

Traumatic dislocation of the globe into the maxillary sinus

“…In this case, the fibrous scarring in the fractured area was sufficient to secure nearly normal functioning of the eyeball. This finding is consistent with data in the literature 8,5,7 . …”

Orbital fractures: a review

“…It can be accessed through a conjunctival approach, through cutaneous exposure, or through a transantral approach. Of note, endoscopic approaches via a transmaxillary and transnasal route have been described 12–16. Despite being described more than a decade ago, these endoscopic approaches have yet to find widespread acceptance.…”

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