title: [Orbital blow-out fractures, a series of 12 operated cases].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The management for blow-out fractures is controversial. Some studies suggest early surgical treatment, others a conservative attitude.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied retrospectively the data of patients with blow-out fracture, referred to our Neuro-Ophthalmology and Strabismus Clinic from July 1993-May 2000. Out of 48 patients, 22 were operated. We evaluated all 12 patients who underwent pre- and postoperative orthoptic examinations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients' age at the time of the accident was 7.8 to 67.8 years (median 25.3). The delay between accident and operation was 2 to 91 days (median 5.5). Eleven patients were operated within 14 days, one after three months. All patients suffered preoperatively from double-vision. Postoperatively the field of fusion augmented, the middle point centralised. The follow-up time was 22 to 915 days (median 251). However, at the last examination, 0.5 to 16 months (median 4.5) after surgery, only seven out of 12 patients were symptom-free.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgical reconstruction within the first week after trauma shows good results concerning ocular motility, sensibility, enophthalme, and field of fusion. An individual evaluation is surely necessary.
authors.affiliation: Dep. de Strabologie et Neuro-ophtalmologie, Service d'Ophtalmologie, Hôpital Cantonal de St.Gall, Suisse. Dora.Lengyel@kssg.ch
authors.forename: Dora
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lengyel
authors.forename: Armin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Breyer
authors.forename: Daniel S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Mojon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D004172:Diplopia / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015835:Ocular Motility Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D009917:Orbital Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014787:Vision Tests