Late sequelae after high midface trauma.

The upper midface area comprises mainly the naso-orbito-ethmoidal (NOE) region which plays a paramount role in facial expression. Fractures of this area often result in neglected bony defects in the fragile periorbital region with major secondary impairments such as traumatic telecanthus, orbital dystopia, and/or enophthalmos. Permanent cranial nerve deficits also can occur as the result of post-traumatic/post-operative sequelae. Seventy-one patients (age range 7-78 years) with severe high midface trauma, treated from January 1989 to December 1996, were reviewed with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. The patient population has been distributed according to the fracture type in three groups: Group 1 (n = 35): Isolated NOE with/without associated central midface injury; Group 2 (n = 22): NOE associated with craniofacial injury and Group 3 (n = 14): NOE associated with orbital displacement. The estimated post-surgical parameters included qualitative and quantitative data from the long-term clinical evaluation. Persistent headache and/or concentration difficulties were mainly noted in Group 1. Smell reduction or anosmia was reported mainly in Group 2. Deficits of the trigeminal and/or the facial nerve were found in Group 3. Enophthalmos and/or telecanthus were predominantly seen with injuries associated with orbital displacement.