Patient involved in an accident while on a holiday
The patient is a 28-year-old male from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. He was recently holidaying with his family in Rajasthan when he was involved in a motor vehicle accident. A camel had suddenly strayed onto the path of his car, which had resulted in a collision. His face had violently impacted on the steering wheel causing fractures (broken bones) to his orbit and zygomatic bone.
Emergency treatment at a nearby city hospital
He did not lose consciousness following the injury; however, there was significant double vision. The patient was rushed by his family to a nearby hospital where his right upper eyelid soft tissue laceration was sutured.
Imaging studies were also obtained, which revealed fractures to the right side of the face. He was advised surgery, but declined as he wished to undergo surgery at our hospital.
Our hospital is renowned for facial trauma surgery arising from road accidents. The facial cosmetic surgery services available at our hospital provide very good esthetic outcome for the patient. We have a dedicated facial trauma care unit that caters to such cases.
Patient presents to our hospital for surgical management of fracture
Dr SM Balaji, facial trauma surgeon, examined the patient and obtained a detailed history. He then ordered a 3D CT scan and other pertinent imaging studies. The patient complained of a depression on the right side of the face and double vision in the right eye. Clinical examination revealed depressed right zygoma and double vision.
Radiographic examination revealed a shattered zygoma and orbital floor with a midpalatine suture split. There was evidence of subconjunctival hemorrhage in the right eye as a result of the trauma. The patient was experiencing severe discomfort and difficulty with viewing due to his double vision.
Treatment planning presented to the patient in detail
It was explained to the patient that he needed fixation of the midpalatine suture split. He also needed lateral orbital wall fracture fixation and right orbital floor reconstruction with a titanium Medpor implant. Zygoma fracture elevation and fixation would be performed through an intraoral approach to avoid external scar formation.
It was also explained that he needed to stay on a liquid diet for about one to two weeks following surgery. The patient and his parents were in complete agreement with this surgical plan and consented for surgery. Presurgical anesthetic evaluation was completely normal for the patient. This was performed per American Board certified presurgical protocols.
Successful surgical reduction of multiple facial fractures
Under general anesthesia, a sulcular incision was made in the left anterior maxilla and mucoperiosteal flap raised. The dentoalveolar fracture and midpalatine suture split was reduced and fixed using titanium plates and screws. This was followed by a vestibular incision that was made in the right posterior maxilla. A flap was raised and the fractured segments of the zygoma were visualized.
Eye lid surgery followed with placement of a lateral canthal incision. The lateral orbital wall fracture was then reduced and fixed using titanium plate and screws. Following this, the comminuted right zygoma fracture segment was reduced, elevated and fixed using titanium plates and screws.
A transconjunctival incision was then made and the inferior orbital wall fracture was visualized. Orbital contents were elevated. Herniated periorbita was released from the orbital floor.
The floor of the orbit fracture was then reconstructed using a Titan Medpor implant. Closure of incisions was done using resorbable sutures intraorally and non resorbable sutures extraorally.
Total patient satisfaction following surgery
Surgery was successful with no complications. Results were immediate with restoration of previous facial esthetics. The patient and his family were fully satisfied with the outcome of the surgery.
There was no depression and his face was now symmetrical on both sides. His double vision was also corrected following orbital floor reconstruction.
