title: Operative complications of the transconjunctival inferior fornix approach.
abstract: The transconjunctival inferior fornix incision provides access to the floor, rim, lateral, and inferior medial walls of the orbit. Complications of this surgical approach to the orbit are known to be rare but heretofore have not been clearly defined. Over an 8-year period, in an estimated 1200 cases, the authors have encountered cicatricial entropion, lower eyelid retraction, canthal dehiscence, lower eyelid avulsion, canalicular laceration, buttonhole laceration of the lower eyelid, conjunctival chemosis, and lacrimal sac laceration. Attention to anatomic landmarks and sound surgical execution will prevent these complications in most patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Eye Plastics and Orbital Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02114.
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Westfall
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Shore
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Nunery
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hawes
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Yaremchuk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000601:surgery*; D004774:Entropion / Q000209:etiology; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D005130:Eye Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D005143:Eyelids / Q000293:injuries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009917:Orbital Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*