Blowout Fractures: Surgical Outcome in Relation to Age, Time of Intervention, and Other Preoperative Risk Factors

Abstract

We sought to describe outcome of surgical repair in patients presenting with orbital blowout fractures. This noncomparative, retrospective, consecutive case series reviewed the case notes of 63 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for a blowout fracture between November 1992 and March 2005. Risk factors for motility outcome as well as presence of enophthalmos after surgery were analyzed. Children had earlier surgery than adults (p < 001) and tended to have better motility outcome than adults. Surgery performed within the first week showed a trend for better outcome, but this was not statistically significant (p = 0.231). Assault had the best motility outcome, compared with other modes of trauma. Patients with worse preoperative motility had better outcome (p < 0.001). Enophthalmos improved significantly after surgery (p < 001). Children as compared with adults and surgery performed within the first week tended to have better motility outcome, but this was not statistically significant.