OBJECTIVETo study and compare the operative results of the early and late treatment of orbital blow-out fracture.

METHODSOrbital blow-out fractures were reconstructed and repositioned. Three dimensional measurements, CT scanning, diplopia analysis, Medpor filling of the orbit were used for the operation and the study. The operative results were compared between 15 cases of early and 16 cases of late reconstruction of blow-out fracture.

RESULTSIn the early treatment group, there were 8 cases of diplopia, 15 cases of orbital invagination and 10 cases of disesthesia of the infraorbital nerve. After surgery, diplopia was corrected in 7 cases; invagination was corrected in all the 15 cases; disesthesia of the infraorbital nerve was corrected in 8 cases. In the late treatment group, there were 10 cases of diplopia, 16 cases of orbital invagination and 9 cases of disesthesia of the infraorbital nerve. After surgery, diplopia was corrected in 3 cases, unimproved in 4 cases, aggravated in 2 cases. 5 of them received reoperation of extraocular muscle for diplopia. Orbital invagination was uncorrected in 3 cases. 2 of them were re-operated on. Disesthesia of the infraorbital nerve was unimproved in 2 cases. By comparing the operation results, of the two groups using FISHER accuracy inspection, the significant difference was only in the correction of the double visions (chi 2 = 4.865, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEarly operation for orbital blow-out fracture is easier, with better results, fewer complications and reoperations than the late operation.