Decision-Making in Treatment of Orbital Fractures: Indications, Timing, Approaches and Materials

Decision-making in treatment of orbital fractures presents challenges during every stage, including diagnostics, the choice to operate, the operative approach, the choice of reconstructive material and assessment of outcomes. This session will cover key examination maneuvers to accurately diagnose orbital compartment syndrome and entrapment, as well as recommendations for assessing diplopia and enophthalmos. Timing of operative interventions will be discussed, including reasons for prompt versus delayed repair and when ophthalmologic coordination is appropriate. The session will explore the pros and cons of transorbital versus transantral approaches, risk factors for intraoperative difficulty and tips to minimize complications in operative repair. The advantages and disadvantages of various materials for repair, including prefabricated versus patient-specific implants, also will be reviewed.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this program, participants should be able to:

1. Describe key examination findings indicative of orbital compartment syndrome and entrapment.
2. Recognize indications and expectations for access using transantral and transorbital approaches.
3. Predict risk factors for intraoperative difficulty.
4. Explain the different implant types available for orbital reconstruction and reasons to choose one versus another. 

Akshay Govind, DMD, MD, MPH, FACS
Health Sciences Associate Clinical Professor
UCSF - Alameda Health System
Oakland, California
Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

An Internet-based CDE/CME Activity
Original Release Date: September 20, 2025
Expiration Date: September 20, 2028
Estimated time to complete this educational activity: 1 hour
Method of participation: Self-Study

Continuing Education Provider Approval
The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider.

ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education.

ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.

The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons designates this activity for 1.25 continuing education credit(s).

AGD - Accepted Program Provider
FAGD/MAGD Credit
11/1/22-12/31/26
Provider ID# 214680

The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons designates this internet-based enduring material for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.