Extended Transcaruncular Approach Using Detachment and Repositioning of the Inferior Oblique Muscle for the Traumatic Repair of the Medial Orbital Wall

Abstract

The fracture of the medial orbital wall is relatively common in orbital trauma. Titanium mesh is possibly the actual standard material for orbital wall reconstruction. When the floor of the orbit and the medial wall are simultaneously affected, one larger mesh gives better results than two independent meshes that need to be fixated independently. However, large meshes need a wider surgical field. To gain sufficient exposure to the medial and inferior orbital walls simultaneously, we present an approach that combines the transconjunctival and transcaruncular incisions, detaching if needed the inferior oblique muscle and, placing our mesh, repositioning it beside the lacrimal duct. This technique should not entirely displace traditional approaches, but it widens the surgical exposure for middle- and upper-third facial trauma. This alternative has minimum morbidity and can save a great deal of surgery time.