Reconstruction of orbital floor fracture with polyglactin 910/polydioxanon patch (ethisorb): a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: We sought to evaluate the effectiveness and the complications related to the use of Ethisorb (resorbable alloplastic material) in the reconstruction of orbital floor fractures.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all patients who underwent orbital floor fracture reconstruction with Ethisorb since 2001. We only included patients with a minimum follow-up of 3 months. The following data were recorded for every patient: age, gender, cause of trauma, time from trauma to surgery, signs and symptoms, concomitant ocular injuries, radiographic analysis, pertinent intraoperative findings (including the type of approach), follow-up time, and postoperative complications.

RESULTS: Eighty-seven patients were included in the study. Twenty-one patients (24.1%) experienced postoperative complications. Of these, only 3 patients (3.4%) had permanent complications directly related to the Ethisorb membrane (diplopia, enophthalmos). Two of these patients required revision surgery and are discussed in the article.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study demonstrate the effectiveness of Ethisorb in the repair of small-to-moderate orbital floor fracture defects (up to a maximum size of 2 x 2 cm).