title: Comparison of 'sutureless' Transconjunctival and Subciliary Approach for Treatment of Infraorbital Rim Fractures: a Clinical Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study is to compare subciliary incision and 'sutureless' transconjunctival incision in the treatment of infraorbital rim fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective study, 40 patients with fractures of the infraorbital rim were selected and divided into 2 groups using random sampling technique. Group A patients were treated using 'sutureless' transconjunctival technique and group B patients were treated using subciliary approach. The following parameters were compared a) time taken, intraoperative ease of access, exposure achieved; b) clinical outcome and postoperative complications; c) Aesthetic outcome at intervals of 15 days, 1 month and 3 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total time taken for completion of surgery was lesser in group A patients. The presence of subconjunctival ecchymosis (at 1 month interval) and neurological deficit was found to be statistically significant (P<0.05) in the 'subciliary' group of patients. The transconjunctival approach showed better esthetic results and fewer post-operative complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The subciliary approach gives good exposure of the infra-orbital rim and is better suited to reduce extensively displaced fractures of the infra-orbital rim. The transconjunctival approach is comparatively faster, gives better esthetic results and fewer post-operative complications but is technique sensitive and requires an additional lateral canthotomy in cases where more exposure is needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, V.S. Dental College and Hospital, K R Road, V V Puram, Bangalore, India ; No. 165, IV Cross, II Main, Chamarajpet, Bangalore, 560018 India.
authors.forename: N
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1108-8901
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vaibhav
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, V.S. Dental College and Hospital, K R Road, V V Puram, Bangalore, India.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Keerthi
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, V.S. Dental College and Hospital, K R Road, V V Puram, Bangalore, India.
authors.forename: Madan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nanjappa
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, V.S. Dental College and Hospital, K R Road, V V Puram, Bangalore, India.
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Ashwin
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, V.S. Dental College and Hospital, K R Road, V V Puram, Bangalore, India.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Reyazulla
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, V.S. Dental College and Hospital, K R Road, V V Puram, Bangalore, India.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Gopinath
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, V.S. Dental College and Hospital, K R Road, V V Puram, Bangalore, India.
authors.forename: Abhishek
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghosh
keywords: Infraorbital rim fractures; Subciliary incision; Transconjunctival incision