[Establishment of rabbit orbital hypertelorism model and evaluation of effects of surgical correction].

[OBJECTIVE] To establish a rabbit model of orbital hypertelorism for plastic and reconstructive surgery and evaluate the surgical effects.

[METHODS] Orbital osteotomies and medial translocation was performed in 16 New Zealand rabbits (4 to 6 months old) by combined intracranial-extracranial approach. The interorbital distance (IOD) and bone healing between the orbits were evaluated with gross measurement. X-ray and histological examinations were performed immediately and 12 weeks after the operation.

[RESULTS] The average IOD of the rabbits was 0.74 cm after completion of the operation, but increased to 0.96 cm 12 weeks after the operation, showing significant relapse of orbital hypertelorism (P<0.01).

[CONCLUSION] The IOD can be decreased successfully in this rabbit model.