Assessment of Endoscopic Role in Management of Facial Fractures

Abstract

This study evaluates the usefulness of endoscopic repair in certain types of facial fractures (orbital floor, isolated zygomatic arch and isolated anterior table frontal sinus fractures).Endoscopic application in otorhinolaryngology has expanded into many areas including facial plastic surgery and facial trauma (orbital blow-out, frontal sinus, zygomatic arch, and subcondylar fractures), therefore limiting the use of incisions for exposure. Endoscopically assisted facial bone surgery can be performed with many advantages, including: magnified direct visualization, decreased scarring, avoidance of numbness beyond the incision line, greater acceptability to the patient, decreased complication rate and short hospitalization. For assessment of the value of endoscopy in repair of certain facial fractures, we selected 12 consented patients with either orbital floor fracture, isolated zygomatic arch fracture or isolated anterior table frontal sinus fracture to be involved in our study after stabilizing the general condition. The patients were evaluated preoperatively by an ophthalmologist and all had complete CT study including coronal, axial (both bony and soft-tissue windows), sagital and 3D images. The patients were analyzed for sex, age, time of surgery, pre/postoperative symptoms; including ophthalmic symptoms, facial paraesthesia and aesthetic problems. The results of our endoscopic approach were evaluated esthetically and functionally to be classified into good, fair and poor results. We also classified the level of the surgery according to its difficulty into difficult, average and easy surgical performance.Good results were achieved in 8fractures (42%); fair in 8fractures (42%) and finally 3fractures (16%) with poor endoscopic result. The performed surgery considered easy in 9 (41%) patients, average in 6 (31%) patients and difficult in 4 (21%) patients. All patients had no significant complications. Conclusion: Endoscopic repair appears to be a safe and effective technique for repairing certain types of facial fracture.