Objective:

To present a retrospective analysis of the use of retrocaruncular approach to access medial orbital wall reconstruction. Additionally, the technique for performing this access is described.

Material and method:

The sample for this study was chosen from the population of patients referred to the Maxillofacial Surgery Service at the Hospital Clínico Mutual de Seguridad C.Ch.C (Santiago, Chile) for the treatment of orbital fractures between 1st of January 2011 and 31st of December 2014. Subjects eligible for study inclusion had age ≥18, either isolated medial orbital wall fractures or combined with floor fractures, uni or bilateral, with surgical indication, accessed with retrocaruncular approach and 6 month of follow up at least. Exclusion criteria: roof and/or lateral orbital wall fractures.

Results:

Between January 2011 and December 2014, a total of 168 orbits were treat. 27 orbits with medial wall fractures were accessed with retrocaruncular approach with transconjunctival extension and lateral canthotomy and were included in this study. Of them, 6 were pure medial wall fractures and 21 combined with floor fractures. Except for one case that required delayed reconstruction with customized orbital implant, all orbital reconstructions were successful in the first surgery. Except for a patient who developed a conjunctival granuloma in relation to the caruncle, no patients had complications related to retrocaruncular access.

Conclusiones:

The retrocaruncular approach presented allows asafe, wide and direct access for repairing medial orbital wall fractures with optimal aesthetics results and minimal functional complications.

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