[Computer-assisted fabricated individual titanium mesh for reconstruction of orbital wall].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop and assess the computer-assisted fabricated individual titanium mesh technique applied for reconstruction of fractured orbital walls to correct post-traumatic enophthalmus and diplopia.

METHODS: Twenty patients (12 males and 8 females) were included in this study. All of patients suffered from unilateral impure orbital fractures. Group A included 8 patients who were reconstructed for the fractured orbit with computer-assisted fabricated titanium mesh technique. Group B had 12 patients treated with traditional methods (titanium meshes in 2, autogenous bone grafts in 7 and Medpor implantation in 3). CT data of group A was input into a image software to rebuild a 3-D orbit and then mirror the unaffected side onto the affected side to replace the demolished orbit. A resin model of the reshaped orbit was then produced and was used to develop custom-fabricated titanium mesh for repair of the fractured orbital wall. The fabricated mesh was used in operation to reconstruct the orbital wall. Treatment was assessed in comparison with traditional way by means of clinical examinations and CT measurements.

RESULTS: The difference between pre-operative and post-operative enophthalmos: the mean value of group A was 2.6 mm, group B was 2.0 mm;the difference between the pre-operative and post-operative enlargement volume of traumatic orbit: the mean value of group A was 4.3 mL, group B was 3.7 mL; Index of Medial orbital wall of both groups was 100% and Index of inferior wall reconstruction of group A was 84.7%, group B was 53.3%; The mean depth of implants of group A was 31.2 mm, of group B was 28.3 mm; Improvement of diplopia of group A was 1.5 quadrants, that of group B was 1 quadrant. There were no infection, gaze restriction, or graft extrusion in all patients after operation.

CONCLUSION: Computer-assisted fabricated titanium mesh technique could provide more accurate orbital reconstruction and improve the correction of enophthalmus and diplopia.