ABSTRACT
Background: Orbital floor fractures always represent a
challenge for reconstruction. Various techniques for treatment
had evolved over the past years, each with their strengths and
weaknesses. The main aim of surgical repair is to relocate
herniated orbital tissue and fat back into the orbit restoring
both the function and aesthetic aspect. Reconstruction of
orbital floor can be performed using various types of materials,
either autologous as rib grafts or cartilage grafts or alloplastic
as titanium mesh.
Aim of the Study: The aim of this study is to compare the
results of using autologous cartilage grafts with those of split
rib graft in small posttraumatic orbital floor defects reconstruction.
Patients and Methods: 30 patients with orbital floor
defects due to maxillofacial trauma. They were divided into
2 groups according to the technique of reconstruction: Group
1: 15 patients who had reconstruction by onlay split rib grafts
Group 2: 15 patients who had reconstruction by conchal
cartilage grafts, using either unilateral or sutured bilateral
conchal cartilage grafts in large defects. Both methods were
analyzed clinically and radiologically and were compared as
regards, their advantages and disadvantages Postoperative
assessment using CT scan were used.
Results: With the conchal cartilage grafts, the results were
more favorable with statistically significant decrease in
complications.
Conclusion: Reconstruction of orbital floor fractures
using conchal cartilage grafts represents a safe and reliable
method of reconstruction with less complications.