Use of 3D-printed model to plan the surgical management of a patient with isolated orbital floor fracture: a case report.

Abstract

Background: Orbital floor fractures typically manifest as eyeball mobility disorders with double vision (diplopia), enophthalmia, and infraorbital paresis. Surgical treatment of these fractures involves orbital floor reconstruction. The procedure involves freeing the trapped tissues from the lumen of the maxillary sinus and rebuilding the orbital floor. Technological progress in the field of three-dimensional (3D) printing allows physical prototyping of the implants to be used during the procedure.

Case description: A 43-year-old female patient presented to the hospital with diplopia, which first occurred after a fall from own height. Examinations, including a computed tomography (CT) confirmed the diagnosis of an orbital floor fracture. 3D printing was used to plan the surgical treatment of the patient. Based on preoperative CT, a 1:1 scale model was prepared by means of 3D printing to demonstrate the fractured orbital area. It was later used to pre-cut a Codubix prosthesis, which was subsequently used to reconstruct the fractured bone. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful. Instant improvement in diplopia was noted. A CT scan was performed on the 3^rd day after surgery. No herniation into the maxillary sinus was observed.

Conclusions: 3D printing seems to be a useful method that allows more thorough preparation for the surgery and also could potentially shorten its duration.