Management of orbitozygomatic fractures.

BACKGROUND

Management of orbitozygomatic fractures forms part of the scope of practice of many oral and maxillofacial surgeons. As aspects of management vary among surgeons who treat such injuries, this confidential study was undertaken to examine some of the protocols of Australian and New Zealand oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

RESULTS

Eighty-one per cent of the respondents treated orbitozygomaticfractures and on average, each treated approximately 24 cases per year. Also, about one in five cases required orbital floor exploration.Further, the preferred imaging baseline was computed tomography plus plain X-rays, while the preferred implant materials for orbital floor reconstruction were autologous bone and resorbable membrane. The incidence of postoperative retrobulbar haemorrhage was estimated at approximately 1:1000.

CONCLUSION

Most oral and maxillofacial surgeons treat orbitozygomatic injuries as part of their surgical scope.