Richard K. Dortzbach

Surgery on Orbital Floor Fractures: Influence of Time of Repair and Fracture Size

51 patients with orbital floor fractures were studied retrospectively to evaluate results in relation to time of surgical repair and fracture size. Early repair (less than 2 months) gave better results than late repair (greater than 2 months) in regard to both enophthalmos and extraocular muscle dysfunction. Large fractures (greater than one-half floor or greater than or equal to 15 fracture volume units) were most likely to be associated with significant enophthalmos after surgery. We recommend tomography when necessary to estimate fracture size, and advise early repair of large fractures, preferably within two weeks after injury. Patients with significant extraocular muscle dysfunction due to tissue entrapment, regardless of fracture size, should be repaired early, preferably within 2 weeks after injury, if improvement does not occur spontaneously by that time.

Silicone Intubation for Obstruction of the Nasolacrimal Duct in Children

We performed 63 intubations with silicone tubing for nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children in whom nasolacrimal duct probings had failed. Fifty-nine (93.7%) obstructions were congenital and four (6.3%) were acquired. The average length of intubation was 4.3 months. The final results for both congenital and acquired obstructions combined were good in 52 cases (82.5%), fair in three (4.8%), and poor in eight (12.7%). Complications, with the exception of some with infection, were easily treated or minimal and did not affect the outcome significantly. We recommend silicone intubation as the procedure of choice for congenital or acquired nasolacrimal duct obstructions in children after failure of medical therapy and nasolacrimal duct probings.

Relations of the superficial musculoaponeurotic system to the orbit and characterization of the orbitomalar ligament.

Summary The orbital and eyelid relationships of the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) were studied in human cadavers. Using gross and microscopic techniques, the SMAS was found to be intimately related to the eyelids and orbicularis oculi muscle, and to have distinct orbital bony attachments. Sub-SMAS fat in the malar region was found to be continuous with the submuscular fat in the eyebrow region. The malar sub-SMAS fat continued superiorly into the lower eyelid above the inferior orbital rim, as a postorbicularis layer. A bony attachment emanating from the inferior orbital rim, the orbitomalar ligament, traveled through the orbicularis oculi muscle in a lamellar fashion prior to inserting into the dermis. The cutaneous insertion of this attachment corresponds to the malar and nasojugal skin folds. With aging, relaxation of the orbitomalar ligament allows inferior migration of orbital fat, in addition to the anterior migration that occurs through an attenuated orbital septum. These findings have implications not only in cosmetic surgery but also in the understanding of facial soft tissue changes that occur with aging.

Problems Associated With Conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy

Fifty-eight patients (69 eyes) underwent conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy for lacrimal canalicular obstruction. The cause of lacrimal obstruction and the results and complications of the operation were analyzed. Trauma and idiopathic disease were the most common causes of lacrimal canalicular obstruction in 24 of 69 (34.8%) eyes each. Relief of epiphora was achieved in 68 of the 69 eyes (98.5%). The complications included tube displacement in 40 of the 69 eyes (57.9%), tube obstruction in 19 of the 69 eyes (27.5%), and infection of the lacrimal sac in four of the 69 eyes (5.8%). Despite frequent complications, most Jones tubes can be made to function satisfactorily. Conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy remains the best surgical treatment at this time for permanent loss of canalicular function.

Levator aponeurosis elastic fiber network

This light and electron microscopic study demonstrates an elastic fiber network (EFN) for the levator palpebrae superioris muscle complex, which forms an intricate insertion into the upper eyelid. The EFN is examined in the monkey, in a fresh exenteration specimen, and in fresh frozen cadaver specimens from both sexes of different age groups. Multiple elastic insertions of the levator aponeurosis and Mullers muscle attachment with well-organized elastic fibers are demonstrated using special staining techniques and serial microscopic sectioning. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirms the ultrastructure of “mature” elastin fibers in Mullers muscle tendon and their close relationship with the elastin-related fiber, oxytalan. Current thinking concerning the nature of elastic fibers and their possible implications in acquired involutional blepharoptosis is discussed. This microscopic study of the EFN of the upper eyelid focuses attention on the multiple elastic fiber insertions of the levator muscle complex that includes the levator aponeurosis, the conjoined fascia, the lid crease area, and Mullers muscle tendon, which have not been previously described.

The anatomy of midfacial ptosis

PURPOSE To investigate the anatomic and histologic changes present in midfacial ptosis. METHODS Experimental study applying gross anatomic and histologic techniques to formalin-preserved and fresh-frozen cadaver heads with and without midfacial ptosis. High-resolution surface coil magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to obtain radiologic correlations. RESULTS The orbitomalar ligament was further characterized by identification of a well-developed lateral component in the sub-superficial musculoaponeurotic plane; abnormalities of this important supporting structure were present in the subcutaneous plane in 8 of 10 specimens with midfacial ptosis. The zygomatic and masseteric cutaneous ligaments also were further characterized on a gross anatomic level, and histologic evidence of these two structures was produced. The subcutaneous components of the zygomatic and masseteric cutaneous ligaments were attenuated or not identifiable in 40% and 30% of specimens with midfacial ptosis, respectively. High-resolution surface coil MRI provided exquisite correlations of midfacial anatomy. CONCLUSIONS The lateral component of the orbitomalar ligament provides major osteocutaneous midfacial support. Subcutaneous attenuation of the orbitomalar, masseteric cutaneous, and zygomatic ligaments was associated with midfacial ptosis.

Histologic comparison of autologous fat processing methods.

Purpose: To perform a quantitative analysis of adipocyte viability after fat processing during autologous fat transfer, comparing the processing methods of washing, centrifuging, and sedimentation. Methods: An experimental study was conducted in which 24 fat samples were obtained after processing from 22 patients undergoing autologous fat transfer. Histologic analysis of periodic acid-Schiff–stained specimens was then performed. Results: Cell counts per high-powered field of intact adipocytes and nucleated adipocytes and adipocyte cross-sectional area were significantly greater in samples processed by sedimentation, compared with those by centrifuging or washing. Conclusions: Of the various processing techniques currently used during autologous fat transfer, sedimentation appears to yield a higher proportion of viable adipocytes than does washing or centrifuging.

Silicone intubation for partial and total nasolacrimal duct obstruction in adults.

We performed silicone intubation for both partial and total nasolacrimal duct obstructions in adults. Twenty-three cases with partial obstructions and nine patients with total observations were untubated. The final results were good (73.9%), fair (8.7%), and poor (17.4%) in the partial obstruction group; and good (22.2%) and poor (77.8%) in the total obstruction group. Complications were minimal and did not affect the outcome. We recommend silicone intubation for partial nasolacrimal duct obstructions and dacryocys-torhinostomy for total obstructions.

Choice of Procedure: Enucleation, Evisceration, or Prosthetic Fitting Over Globes

Enucleation is more likely to be associated with certain intraoperative and postoperative complications but remains the procedure of choice in cases where detailed histopathologic examination of the globe is required, in many cases of intraocular neoplasm, and in selected cases of ocular trauma with visual loss. In many patients, evisceration results in enhanced cosmesis compared to enucleation and is a technically simpler and faster operation. Evisceration may be indicated in patients with blind and unsightly or painful eyes and in selected instances of ocular trauma following discussion of the risk of sympathetic ophthalmia with the patient. It is contraindicated in patients with possible intraocular malignancy. In appropriate cases, a cosmetic shell or contact lens may constitute an alternative to enucleation or evisceration, and may provide superior cosmesis. Management of patients requiring these procedures should be tailored to the particular clinical situation with consideration of the wishes of the well-informed patient.

Characterization of human orbital fat and connective tissue

Summary: This study was designed to evaluate the characteristics of human orbital fat and connective tissue. Two exenteration specimens were studied by light microscopy with special stains. Four distinct regions were identified on the basis of their connective tissue septa, which contained blood vessels and were composed of elastin and collagen types I, III, and IV. Transmission electron microscopy was performed on the opposite orbits. The fibroblasts and adipocytes appeared metabolically inactive and showed no regional differences. The fat was phase extracted from the connective tissue and subjected to biochemical analysis. No regional differences were found in the content of fatty acids and protein. The fatty acids included palmitic acid (22–24.6%), oleic acid (45–51.5%), and linoleic acid (15–18.6%). Despite demarcation of the orbital fat into distinct regions by the connective tissue septa, ultrastructural and biochemical analysis revealed no regional variations in the fat. The diagnostic and therapeutic implications of these findings are discussed.