Retained orbital wooden foreign body: a surgical technique and rationale.

OBJECTIVE

To emphasize the potential complications of a retained orbital wooden foreign body (WFB) and the rationale of a surgical technique.

DESIGN

Two interventional case reports.

PARTICIPANTS

Two patients sustained an orbital WFB injury. Both patients had ocular complications despite repeated attempts to remove the suspected residues.

INTERVENTION: Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of both patients at different intervals revealed evidence of orbital foreign body migration toward the cranium. A surgical technique combing transcranial and orbital approaches was used to remove the residues.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Preoperative and postoperative vision, proptosis, ocular motility, and various ocular symptoms and signs.

RESULTS

In both patients, no postoperative complications were seen, and all preoperative symptoms and signs were resolved at 9- and 19-month follow-ups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

A retained orbital WFB can cause early or late complications and is known to have the potential to migrate intracranially. In selected patients, a team approach may be the best technique to ensure complete removal.