Overcoming the limitations of orbital fracture treatment with titanium implants
The orbital bone is one of the most robust structures within the human body, yet it is not immune to blunt trauma to the face and head. This especially holds true for objects larger than the eye socket, from sports balls during games, blows from physical altercations, to miscellaneous collisions during car accidents – these incidents can all be significant contributors to the susceptibility of the orbital bone to fractures, leading to the condition known as “Orbital Fracture”. Orbital fractures can cause damage to several organs, including the eye, eyelid, lacrimal apparatus, surrounding orbital and frontal bones, the ethmoid bone, and even the brain.
Orbital fractures are thus considered severe eye injuries and medical emergencies that necessitate surgical intervention within a 48-hour window in order to prevent permanent vision impairment. Today, Meticuly has the opportunity to interview Mr. Phakin, one of our patients who underwent cyst removal surgery, a byproduct of his orbital fracture surgical treatment 15-16 years ago. In this article, Mr. Pakin will share his treatment details, as well as insights and perspectives regarding his choice to use Meticuly’s titanium implants.
The beginning of orbital fracture treatment and the first signs of facial abnormalities
Around 15-16 years ago, Mr. Phakin recounts, he had fractured his orbital bone due to an accident and received surgical treatment, which involved manually realigning and securing the bone fragments. Following the procedure, Mr. Phakin led a relatively normal life for 14-15 years, until he noticed significant facial swelling in the cheek area, to the point of nearly closing his eye. He had no pain, no numbness, and no inflammation.
Even though the facial abnormality that occurred in the same place as his orbital bone fracture would not affect his daily life, Mr. Phakin candidly admitted that it caused him to be increasingly self-conscious about his appearance. When encountering customers unaware of his past accident, he was often faced with questions regarding his abnormal facial condition and its cause. Furthermore, the facial swelling was worsening day by day, adding to Mr. Phakin’s concerns. He worried if the previously treated orbital bone had shifted, dislocated, deteriorated, or worst of all, if he was developing a serious disease…
Treatment procedure and frequency of hospital visits prior to surgical treatment
“My vision was functioning as normal, so I often went to the hospital alone as it was more convenient,” Mr. Phakin tells us as he recounts his visits to the hospital before receiving surgical treatment for his recurrent orbital fracture. Initially, after noticing his facial abnormalities, Mr. Phakin sought medical treatment at a general private hospital, as he assumed it to be just common inflammation. After taking oral medication, however, his symptoms still did not subside, and he began to realize that something was amiss. He then decided to consult a specialist at Kanchanapisek Medical Center, for direct treatment in this regard.
Following this, the medical team continuously followed up on Mr. Phakin’s symptoms, until Doctor Nattawut called for a CT Scan with contrast injection. The scan revealed the presence of a cyst in the area where Mr, Phakin had previously gotten surgical treatment for his orbital fracture. If left untreated, it could potentially lead to blindness in the future. Subsequently, the medical team quickly performed a biopsy to determine whether the tumour was cancerous – fortunately, the results were negative.
Afterwards, the medical team provided recommendations for further treatment, and after the removal of the cyst and blood drainage, Mr. Phakin’s swelling improved. Despite this, after around a month, the swelling returned. Thus, Mr. Phakin decided to visit the hospital once more to discuss surgical treatment.
The first encounter with titanium implants
Doctor Nattawut and his medical team presented Mr. Phakin with two treatment options: to either use a titanium orbital implant to replace the damaged portion of the orbital bone, or to use a bone graft from his own shin to replace his orbital and frontal bone that has to be removed to prevent future cyst formation.
“After opting for a titanium implant, that was when I came to know Meticuly”
After discussing treatment procedures involving the titanium orbital implant, Doctor Nattawut and his medical team provided detailed guidance on titanium implants. Mr. Phakin also conducted further research on the Internet, as well as requesting insight from his older sister who was a medical professional. Ultimately, he found that titanium orbital implants offered a reliable, safe, and lifelong solution, with a low risk of infection and minimal discomfort – and made the decision to proceed with this method.
Concerns and expectations prior to surgery
“I wanted my facial structure to return to normal, perhaps not 100%, but as close as possible,”, is what Mr. Phakin and many patients undergoing surgery with Meticuly’s orbital reconstruction solution often tell our team. Mr. Phakin emphasised that he wished for both sides of his face to be as similar as possible, but has come to terms that the results would not be exactly the same as before the accident. However, he firmly believes that the titanium orbital implant would be an improvement from his previous condition.
As for Mr. Phakin’s worries, “I was concerned with using anesthesia, and was afraid I wouldn’t wake up,” he jokingly told the Meticuly team during the interview. In addition, Mr. Phakin had concerns about the impact of a titanium orbital implant on his ability to move his face, chew food, and more. Despite this, he continued to place his full trust in the medical team and Meticuly’s orbital implant.
Post-surgery experience with Meticuly’s titanium orbital implant
After the surgical wound had healed completely, Mr. Phakin shared with us that he felt relieved to a certain extent, because the surgery had gone smoothly without any complications. Although there was numbness, Doctor Nattawut explained that it was due to the necessity of cutting certain nerves in order to replace the orbital bone with the implant. This numbness may persist for the rest of his life, and Mr. Phakin admitted that it initially had an impact on his daily life, as the numbness and tightness led to discomfort for him.
However, approximately 4 years after the surgery, Mr. Phakin gradually began to adapt to the aforementioned sensations. He now leads a normal daily life and can exercise at the gym freely. Moreover, he has not encountered any problems when travelling to different countries or provinces, as the titanium orbital implant can pass through the scanners without any issues. Additionally, surrounding temperature and alcohol intake do not give Mr. Phakin any unusual sensations from the implant, allowing him to live comfortably with it. Nonetheless, Mr. Phakin continues to have regular follow-up appointments with the medical team to monitor any potential future effects or issues.
What I’d like to share with those considering treatment for orbital fractures with titanium implants from Meticuly
For patients dealing with orbital fractures or other conditions that require the use of bone-replacement materials for surgical treatment, there may still be lingering doubts whether or not to opt for titanium implants. Mr. Phakin has a final message for all patients:
“Titanium implants come with a relatively high cost, but they stay with us for a lifetime. Just like a car, when our parts get damaged and we find replacements, they should be genuine replacements. It might not have to be 100%, but it should be the closest match to the real thing.”
Meticuly is the first producer of bone-replacement materials such as titanium bone implants, titanium craniofacial implants, and orbital implants in Thailand. Our design and manufacturing process is ISO- and USFDA-certified, helping instill confidence in both doctors and patients, that what they receive will be titanium bone and skull implants crafted by Thais at a global standard and the best choice for treatment for patients in need of genuine bone implants.
Meticuly extends our heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Phakin for taking the time to share his experience undergoing surgery for orbital fractures using titanium orbital implants from the company. We hope that his insights will benefit other patients in their journeys toward healing.
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