Periorbital and Globe Injuries in Pediatric Orbital Fractures: A Retrospective Review of 116 Patients at a Level 1 Trauma Center

Abstract

Study Design: Retrospective chart review of pediatric and globe injuries associated with orbital fractures. Objective: Our study seeks to examine these injuries and their association with orbital fractures at our trauma center to gain a better understanding of how to approach pediatric patients with orbital fractures. Methods: A retrospective review of all facial fractures in pediatric patients at an urban level 1 trauma center was performed for the years 2002 to 2014. Patient demographics were collected, as well as orbital fracture location, mechanism of injury, concomitant injuries, ophthalmologic documentation, imaging, and perioperative records. Results: One hundred sixteen pediatric patients over a 12-year period sustained an orbital fracture. The orbital floor was the most commonly fractured orbital bone in our series (60%). Thirty-four (30%) of the pediatric patients with orbital fractures had documented periorbital and/or globe injuries at the time of presentation. The most common periorbital injury was entrapment related to orbital floor fractures. Significant eyelid lacerations were present in seven patients, with five of these patients had canalicular injuries and two had canthal malposition. Five pediatric patients presented with traumatic optic neuropathy. Two patients had ruptured globes requiring enucleation. Conclusions: Periorbital soft tissue and globe injuries associated with orbital fractures occurs in a substantial number of pediatric patients. There are no guidelines for treatment of these type of injuries in the pediatric population. Further research should be performed to better understand the appropriate management of periorbital injuries in conjunction with surgical management of the orbital fractures.