Subtarsal Approach for Orbital Floor Repair: A Long-Term Follow-Up of 12 Cases in a Jordanian Teaching Hospital

Purpose

To evaluate the long-term functional and esthetic outcomes of using the subtarsal approach for orbital trauma patients in a group of Jordonian patients.

Patients and Methods

Twelve patients treated using the subtarsal approach for orbital floor fractures in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery unit at the Jordan University Hospital were involved. Aspects evaluated included: the distance between scar and lower lid lash margin, scar length, esthetic appearances of the scar, lid edema, scleral show, ectropion, lagophthalmous, epiphora, subconjunctival injections, and keratoconjunctivitis.

Results

Half the cases were the result of road traffic accidents. Follow-up time ranged from 10 to 73 months (mean ± SD, 37.25 ± 23.7 months). The postoperative outcome was favorable; 1 scar was noticeable, but was not hypertrophic. One patient suffered from scleral show that was associated with subconjunctival injections. One patient suffered from mild lid edema and 1 had keratoconjunctivitis. No other complications were recorded and patients were satisfied with the outcome.

Conclusions

The subtarsal approach is a safe and simple to perform procedure for treating orbital floor fractures. It results in a good surgical outcome functionally and esthetically.