Infraorbital Nerve Decompression for Chronic Post Traumatic Neuralgia: A Novel Approach and Review of the Safety and Efficacy of Piezoelectric Surgery on Soft Tissues and Nerves

Abstract

Chronic post traumatic infraorbital nerve (ION) hyperesthesia is a rare complication of orbital floor fractures. Surgical decompression of the ION has been reported to relieve chronic post traumatic infraorbital neuralgia. This case report describes a novel approach for ION decompression in a patient who suffered from chronic infraorbital neuralgia associated with a healed displaced orbital floor fracture. We used an intraoperative 3D image-guided navigation system to accurately localize the fracture site and employed piezoelectric surgery for nerve decompression. We further review the literature on the safety and efficacy of piezoelectric surgery on soft tissue and nerves.