Study of Orbital Fractures After Lockdown in Warsaw, 2022

Abstract

Introduction. It is a retrospective analysis of the medical records of patients with orbital bone fractures, admitted to the Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Surgery and Implantology, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland. The purpose of the study was to indicate the most common causes, treatment approaches, and complications of orbital fractures. Clinical data, such as circumstances of incidents, symptoms of traumas, and duration of treatment, is part of the analysis.

Methods. In 2022, 213 patients with orbital fractures were admitted to the Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery at the WUM. Collected data included gender, age, fracture classification, fracture position, loss of consciousness, insobriety, symptoms, period of hospital admission, type of treatment applied, and treatment results. Diagnosis and treatment were based on physical examination and results of CT of the skull.

Results. Patients ranged in age from 17 to 86. A total of 173 patients were male, and 40 were female. The most common causes of injuries were assault (37.6%), falls (16.9%), and traffic accidents (10.3%). The most frequent type of fracture involving the orbital wall was orbitozygomatic fracture, which occurred in 122 cases. Almost three-quarters of the patients were treated surgically, while the others were treated conservatively. Surgical procedures were performed, on average, within a time frame of 8.8 days following the occurrence of the incident. Less than one-third of the patients suffered postoperative complications such as paresthesias of regions supplied by the ophthalmic and maxillary nerves, diplopia, and other disorders of vision and/or numbness. Most of complications were transient.

Conclusion: The authors note a substantial prevalence of intricate orbital bone fractures requiring surgical intervention. It is worth noting that acts of violence emerge as a major causing factor, with males aged around 36 showing the highest susceptibility to such injuries.