Background and objective: The thin orbital floor is particularly vulnerable during facial trauma. Different surgical procedures and materials have been used for orbital floor reconstruction, with therapeutic results not always satisfactory. The objective of this retrospective study is to analyze therapeutic options and postoperative complications in adult patients with orbital floor fractures who underwent surgery.

Methods: Review of the files of our institution over a 30 month period. 73 adult patients with orbital floor fractures submitted to surgery were collected. Patients were analyzed for age, sex, diagnostic tools, fracture pattern, surgery delay, implant materials, complications and sequelae.

Results: Men in the fifth decade were the most frequently affected. Fracture’s patterns were as follows: orbital floor, 40 cases; orbital floor and other walls 33 cases. Average delay for surgery was 3.75 days. Implant materials used for the reconstruction were: titanium mesh in 38 cases; PDS sheets in 28 patients; Neuro-Patch in 4; pre-formed orbital plates 3. 12 patients needed a second surgery for implant replacement. Permanent sequelae were observed in 12 cases.

Conclusions: All implant materials used were successful to variable degrees improvement but a guideline for choice of implant material needs to be developed.

Key word: orbital floor fracture