Spoon Retraction for Orbital Floor Fracture Repair in Low Resource Settings

Abstract

*Title:*  
Spoon Retraction for Orbital Floor Fracture Repair in Low Resource Settings  

*Authors:*  
Olusanya AA¹, Wong K², Adediran OJ³, Shaye DA⁴  
¹Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Ibadan, College of Medicine, Ibadan, Nigeria  
²Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA  
³Division of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Massachusetts Eye & Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA  

*Correspondence to:*  
Olusagan Adediran  
Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery  
University College Hospital, Ibadan.  
Email: profaleoj@yahoo.com  

Abstract:  
Background: Repair of orbital floor fractures requires safe retraction of the globe to expose associated fractures. Dedicated orbital floor fractures are often not available in low resource settings, which is also where the majority of facial trauma occurs.  

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed orbital floor fractures treated at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria between Jan 2008 and March 2018. Cases where sterilized metallic table spoons were used were analyzed for post operative complications.  

Results: 904 patients sustained orbital fractures during the study period. 3.2% (n=29) underwent surgical repair. In 22 patients a malleable spoon was used to retract the globe. Within this subset no globe injury, corneal abrasions, extra ocular muscle injury, or infectious were reported.  

Conclusions: Malleable, metallic spoons may serve as an effective orbital retarder during orbital fracture repair. No corneal abrasions, globe injury, extra ocular muscle injury or infectious were noted in their use.