Assessment of relative position of infraorbital foramen in dry adult skulls and its clinical implication.

K. L., Varalakshmi; Nayak, Jyothi N.

Aims: Knowledge of the location of infraorbital foramen (IOF) is important to avoid injuries to neurovascular structure which passes through it, as it may occur in surgical procedures such as rhinoplasty, Caldwell-Luc surgical procedures, tumor surgery, orbita basis reduction, malar region fractures, and Le Fort type-1 osteotomy. Hence, this foramen should be approached carefully to avoid damage. Methods: Ninety dried skull bones of unknown sex, obtained from the clinic of anatomy, MVJ Medical College and Research Hospital, were used to study the shape, size, relation to maxillary tooth, presence of accessory foramen and distance of IOF from surface landmarks and results were analyzed statistically. Results: The vertical and horizontal diameters of IOF were 3.29±0.82 mm and 3.77±0.85 mm on the right side, and 3.37±0.81 mm and 3.90±0.96 mm on the left side, respectively. Oval shape was more common. The distance between IOF and infraorbital margin was 6.34±1.63 mm on the right side and 6.40±1.48 mm on the left side; alveolar margin of maxilla was 27.82±4.13 mm on the right and was 28.40±3.40 mm on the left side; zygomatico-maxillary suture was 14.11±2.23 on the right side and 13.87±3.59 mm on the left side; and anterior nasal spine was 32.21±3.07 mm on the right side and 32.26±2.29 mm on the left side. Accessory foramen was seen in 7 (7.7%) skulls. The location of foramen was along 1st premolar tooth on the right side and towards the 2nd premolar tooth on the left side. Conclusions: This study makes it possible to identify the exact position of IOF and its application in various surgical procedures.

RHINOPLASTY; OSTEOTOMY; SKULL surgery

Gulhane Medical Journal, 2021, Vol 63, Issue 3, p165

1302-0471

Academic Journal

10.4274/gulhane.galenos.2020.1295