Improving Clinical Outcomes of Orbital Volume Restoration Using Peri-Operative Diagnostic Tools in Management of Orbital Fractures - A Prospective Study

Introduction: Accurate evaluation of change in orbital volume occurring due to trauma is of paramount importance to achieve an optimal final outcome. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess and evaluate the orbital volume both radiological and clinical means for accurate surgical correction. Aim: To assess the final surgical outcome using standardized clinical and radiological tools perioperatively to restore orbital volume in patients with orbital wall fractures. Materials and Methods: A prospective interventional study of patients with unilateral orbital wall fractures which was carried out for 24 months. A thorough clinical evaluation and ophthalmological assessments including visual acuity, field of vision was performed. All patients had HRCT for volumetric assessment and assessed clinically for enophthalmos using Hertel exophthalmometer. Based on the level of enophthalmos and orbital volume change, treatment plan was formulated. Intraoperatively Hertel exophthalmometer is used to correct the predetermined enophthalmos. Postoperatively the patients are followed-up at designated intervals to assess the surgical outcome. RESULT: Road Traffic Accident (RTA) was the common etiology of orbital fractures which accounts for 84.1% (n=53) and the most common clinical sign was enophthalmos which accounted for 76.2% (n=48). The mean and standard deviation of orbital volume is 35.20 ± 4.21 and change in orbital volume is 4.29±2.76. The mean and standard deviation were calculated for all patients in different time intervals. The result showed a statistically significant difference in pre-operative phase, intra-operative phase and it maintained throughout the postoperative phase. CONCLUSION: In our study we have found that meticulous preoperative and intraoperative tools to assess in orbital reconstruction gives a desired surgical outcome. Hertel exophthalmometer and HRCT based 3D reconstructed volumetric analysis can be an excellent tool to evaluate anteroposterior globe malposition and volume change.