Management of simultaneous ocular elevation and depression deficit in patients after reconstruction surgery for orbital floor fracture

PURPOSE: To present and examine the results of surgical correction of simultaneous ocular elevation and depression deficit in patients who underwent reconstruction surgery for orbital floor fracture. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of medical records of patients who had undergone surgical correction for diplopia associated with orbital fracture which persisted after orbital reconstruction surgery. All patients underwent orthoptic evaluation before surgery and postoperatively with various times of follow-up. RESULTS: Eight cases of blow-out fracture of the orbital floor were identified. Surgical plan varied from case to case. It included thorough revision of inferior rectus/oblique complex with or without recession of the former or flap tear repair and additional procedures. Postoperatively 4 patients (50%) were diplopia free, 3 (37.5%) presented diplopia in extreme upgaze and 1 (12.5%) in mid-upgaze and adduction. None of the patients reported diplopia in the primary position neither downgaze. CONCLUSION: Diplopia persisting after reconstructive surgery of a fractured orbital floor may be corrected surgically. Our results suggest that at least two surgical procedures are necessary to achieve satisfying outcomes. Contralateral inferior rectus recession combined with superior oblique recession and superior rectus posterior fixation appears to be effective procedures for use.