[A contribution to the operative treatment of diplopia in patients with long-standing orbital floor fractures. A combined operative technique by an ophthalmologist and an otorhinolaryngologist is described (author's transl)].

A patient with an 8-month old orbital floor fracture presented with inferior displacement of the globe, enophthalpmus and diplopia on upward gaze due to an entrapped inferior rectus muscle. In a combined approach, the orbital floor was first repaired by an otorhinolaryngologist. The ophthalmologist then severed the adhesions of the inferior rectus muscle, and a piece of silicone sheeting was sutured to periorbital tissue under the muscle to prevent the formation of new adhesions as well as to provide a smooth surface for the muscle to slide on. This approach restored the muscle function which has remained intact 13 months postoperatively. The simplicity of the procedure is stressed.