Page 129 - Advanced concepts in orbital wall fractures

General discussion and future perspectives
General discussion
Orbital wall fractures have a wide variety of treatment strategies with differences in diagnostics, indications and timing of surgery, required technological support, surgical approach, and materials used. Orbital wall fractures can range from simple to highly complex. In most cases, it is difficult to predict to what extent sequelae, such as enophthalmos and diplopia, develop or persist. Due to a high degree of heterogeneity between studies, there is an ongoing debate with regard to many aspects of treatment1. The aim of this PhD thesis is twofold. Computer-assisted surgery (CAS) has become increasingly important in supporting the surgeon during planning and treatment. In the first part of this thesis several components of CAS are evaluated. The individual components of computer-assisted diagnostics, preoperative planning, and intraoperative imaging provide valuable insight. The second part of this thesis reveals the outcome of an updated evidence-based treatment protocol. The proposed clinical protocol, with a predominantly conservative approach, shows promising results. It may serve as a scientific foundation towards uniform and multidisciplinary treatment strategies.
Computer-assisted orbital reconstruction
Technological advancements help to refine treatment within the
field of oral and maxillofacial surgery. CAS is implemented and being
further developed in almost all subspecialties, including traumatology, C implantology, oncology, and orthognathic surgery2. In orbital wall 7 reconstruction, it is accountable for more accurate and predictable
surgery and better clinical outcomes3-5. Recent research in CAS for orbital reconstruction is mainly aimed at improving the complete workflow,
including all preoperative and intraoperative components, to explore
the limits of precision. CAS has already proved to be valuable in clinical
practice and can be used:
1. to clarify the fracture and the surgical plan for the patient
2. as a diagnostic tool to assess and quantify the fracture
complexity
3. for preoperative virtual planning of the surgery
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