Pattern And Occurrence of Orbital Fractures Associated with Midface Trauma – A Hospital Based Observational Study

Abstract

Aims & Objectives: To study the pattern and occurrence of orbital fractures associated with midface trauma and to assess the association of fracture pattern with etiology of orbital fracture. Methodology: All midface trauma patients treated at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of Govt Dental College Calicut between June 2019 and June 2020 were included. Plain radiographs and available CT scans were assessed by a senior maxillofacial surgeon to diagnose and evaluate orbital fractures. The etiology of fractures was recorded, and its correlation with orbital fracture patterns was analyzed. Clinical evaluation included assessing eye movements, enophthalmos, hypoglobus, palpebral fissure length, and alignment, as well as the presence of telecanthus. Results: Out of 238 midface trauma cases, 147 had orbital fractures, comprising 139 males (58.40% of total, 94.56% of total orbit) and 8 females (3.36% of total, 5.44% of total orbit). Road traffic accidents were the primary cause (91 cases, 38.24%, 61.90%), followed by falls (35 cases, 14.71%, 23.81%). The most common fracture site was the lateral wall (105 patients, 71.43%), followed by the floor (55 patients, 37.42%). Conclusion: The lateral orbital wall was the most frequently fractured site, likely due to its prominent position and susceptibility to direct impact. Conservative management was predominantly utilized. No statistically significant association was found between the etiology of trauma and fracture patterns