Orbital fractures in children: clinical features and management outcomes.

Purpose: To report the clinical characteristics and management outcomes of orbital fractures in children.

Methods: The medical records of pediatric patients (<18 years of age) who presented with orbital fractures over a 15-year period (January 2001-December 2015) were reviewed retrospectively. The cause of injury, imaging findings, clinical features, management, and outcomes were noted.

Results: A total of 52 patients (39 males) were included. Mean age at presentation was 10.9 years (range, 2-18). Road traffic accidents (18/52 [35%]) were the most common cause, with the orbital floor (42/52 [81%]) being the most common fracture site. The most common complaint was double vision (52%). Thirty-eight patients underwent surgical intervention, and extraocular muscle entrapment (56%) was the most common indication for surgery. Early surgical intervention within 15 days of injury resulted in complete resolution of diplopia.

Conclusion: In our study cohort, orbital floor fracture was most common. The trapdoor type of fracture was seen in almost half of the patients, with diplopia being the most common presenting complaint. Early surgical intervention was associated with complete resolution of ocular motility limitation and diplopia.s.