Analysis of the postoperative outcome in 405 cases of orbital fracture using 2 synthetic orbital implants.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the postoperative complications according to the location (floor/medial wall/floor and medial wall) of the orbital fracture of 405 patients during the past 10 years and to investigate the possible alterative data in postoperative outcome in change with the application of 2 synthetic orbital implants: porous polyethylene (Medpor) and hydroxyapatite (Biocoral). The medical records of 405 patients were reviewed especially for enophthalmos, diplopia, sensory disturbance in the area of distribution of the infraorbital nerve, and postoperative complications originated from the implanted material itself, from March 1993 to July 2003. Of the 405 patients, 214 patients were operated with porous polyethylene and 191 patients with hydroxyapatite. The complication rate of the porous polyethylene group was 5.6%, which was not statistically different from that of the hydroxyapatite group (9.4%). Also by the location of fracture, the complication rate of both groups was similar statistically. In the comparative category, enophthalmos was more frequent statistically in patients treated with hydroxyapatite than those treated with porous polyethylene, and no other significant differences were in postoperative outcomes between the both groups. The information provided in this report should aid in using porous polyethylene or hydroxyapatite for reconstruction of the orbital fracture and in accomplishing better postoperative outcome.