Enophthalmos is the posterior displacement of the ocular globe within the bony orbit. Correction of late posttraumatic
enophthalmos is one of the most challenging
surgical procedures. We have performed a corrective procedure for late
enophthalmos using an
antral balloon, with or without minimal
bone grafting. All orbital contents were separated from the bone fragments, infraorbital nerve, and mucosa of the maxillary antrum. The remaining orbital floor was fractured by the surgeon's digital pressure from the maxillary antrum. The
antral balloon was placed in the maxillary antrum and inflated under direct vision from inside the orbit. After a consolidation period, the patient underwent
antral balloon removal. A total of 5 patients underwent repair of late
enophthalmos using this
antral balloon technique. The median time from initial injury was 14 months (range, 6-90 months). The median
antral balloon placement duration was 76 days (range, 53-106 days). Satisfactory symmetries were achieved in 4 patients. Mild residual
enophthalmos remained in 1 patient, who had an orbital framework
deformity and was missing the entire orbital bony floor preoperatively and who required simultaneous
bone grafting. The ideal indication for our technique was the need for orbital floor reconstruction, without an orbital framework
deformity. This technique could avoid autogenous
bone grafting or permanent alloplastic implantation, which may cause a
foreign body reaction, chronic
inflammation, and migration. We believe that our new technique is one of the least invasive corrective procedures for late posttraumatic
enophthalmos.