Retrospective analysis of 73 orbital floor fractures

Abstract

Methods: After confirmation of a zygomatic complex fracture the patients were divided into groups of surgically and non-surgically treated fractures, with and without fracture displacement. The groups were compared according to age, gender, degree of fracture displacement and clinical signs. Results: 283 patients were included, with a mean age of 43 years and a domination of male patients. All type C-fractures and themajority of type B-fractures were treated surgically. Except for facial swelling, the symptoms frequently found in the surgically treated patients, were found less common in the non-surgically treated patient group. Extraoral steps, intraoral steps, and malar depression were significantly related to surgical treatment. Conclusions: The clinical characteristics extraoral steps, intraoral steps, and malar depression, in contrast to paraesthesia of the infraorbital nerve, were significantly related to surgical treatment of zygomatic complex fractures. Knowledge of the differences between the surgically and non-surgically treated patients may help physicians to develop future methods in clinical decision making.