Use of the preseptal transconjunctival approach in orbit reconstruction surgery

Purpose: This report evaluated the advantages of the preseptal transconjunctival approach in reconstruction of the orbit. Patients and Methods: Ninety-nine preseptal incisions were used in 80 patients for different indications (blowout fracture, complex zygoma fracture, enophthalmos correction, midface hypoplasia, secondary incision). All operative procedures were performed without an additional lateral canthotomy. The infraorbital rim was stabilized with miniplates or microplates. Results: There was no ectropion or entropion in any patients. Complications included 1 laceration of the tarsal plate and 1 temporary entropion after a primary subciliary incision. The overall complication rate was 2%. Conclusions: The preseptal transconjunctival incision without lateral canthotomy provides good exposure of the orbital floor and the caudal parts of the lateral and medial wall. This approach is preferable to a retroseptal approach in reconstructive orbital surgery because of minimal disturbance of the intraorbital connective tissue framework. The anatomic optimal dissection line also results in a lower complication rate. (C) 2001 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.