Intranasal Endoscopy-Assisted Repair of Medial Orbital Wall Fractures

Abstract

The repair of medial orbital blow-out fractures remains a challenging surgical procedure for most surgeons. Endoscopic intranasal visualization of the medial orbital wall or lamina papyracea is a technique familiar to most otolaryngologists. This endoscopic view would allow for confirmation of orbital content reduction and bimanual manipulation of an orbital implant. To determine the effectiveness of a new surgical technique, a cadaveric study was performed to evaluate the ability to (1) reduce the herniated orbital contents and (2) restore the normal anatomic orbital configuration and volume with the addition of an orbital implant. Excellent visualization of the fracture was achieved in all cadaveric specimens. In addition, endoscopic intranasal visualization of the medial orbital wall greatly facilitated the anatomic reduction of orbital contents and proper placement of the orbital implant. The surgical technique is described and a clinical case is reported in which this endoscopic technique was effectively used.