Friday, February 12, 2010

Orbital Fractures



Orbital fractures are very common. There is an increasing frequency of orbital fractures being repaired. Orbital fractures are becoming frequently more common in older individuals who may fall and suffer a trauma to the region of their eye.

By nature of the design of the globe and bony orbital frame, the bone tends to fracture first to prevent damage to the eye itself. Repair of the bony defect is often required for greater than 1 square cm defects and/or defects comprising greater than 50% of the floor of the orbit.

Smaller orbital floor defects are often repaired with ear cartilage harvested from the ear, while larger defects or defects of the orbital rim often require repair with titanium mesh or porous polyethylene.
Brian P. Dickinson, M.D.