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  • No.141/142, SAAI EYE HOSPITAL, Near GJR International School, Maruthi Layout, Chinnappanahalli, Kundanahalli, Marathahalli Bangalore-560037
Saai Eye Hospital

Medial Orbitotomy

What is the need for medial orbitotomy?

Medial orbitotomy is done for orbital decompression in various diseases like the Grave’s disease. Medial orbitotomy is also performed to remove orbital tumours which are located mainly on the medial side of the optic nerve or to fix fractures of the medial orbit and the naso-ethmoidal complex.

The Grave’s disease which was originally called the Graves-Basedow disease was initially described as the combination of Hyperthyroidism, exophthalmos and goiter. It is not a very uncommon disease and typically occurs between 30-50 years of age. Males have a higher rate of developing severe Grave’s disease.  Only 5-6% of people develop severe problems which require orbital decompression to restore proper functioning of the eye. Almost 50% of the patients with this disease develop ophthalmopathy which can cause severe corneal problems that may call for decompression. Grave’s disease may cause decrease in ocular motility, diplopia, poor cosmesis and optic neuropathy.



How is medial orbitotomy diagonised?

A physical examination of the eyes and the surrounding structures is done. A CT scan or an MRI is also done in order to prepare for the surgery by assessing the position and thickness of various orbital structures.



What are the complications and risks of Medial Orbitotomy?

The endoscopic method can cause the following complications:

  • Blindness
  • Epiphora
  • Nasolacrimal duct obstruction
  • Scarring
  • Diplopia
  • Inflammation caused by suture
  • Swelling and bruising


How should one prepare for the surgery?

A full ophthalmologic check-up of the patient is done. The appearance of the cornea and conjunctiva, extra ocular motility, visual acuity, visual fields and symptoms of diplopia are recorded. A preoperative CT scan (coronal and axial) of the orbits and the sinuses is also done.  The procedure is done under general anaesthesia.



What happens during the surgery?

The primary goal of medial orbitotomy is to open up the eye socket and the medial part of the orbit to accommodate the eye better and to remove the tumours or treat the fractures.

Orbital decompression is carried out by removing the bones that typically make up the orbit. Less intensive decompression can be carried out by removing intraconal and extraconal fat. This type of decompression in combination with bone removal can be used for more comprehensive decompression. New surgical techniques now allow surgeons to endoscopically decompress the orbit. The medial wall can be approached endoscopically but a balanced method which requires repositioning of lower lid in conjunction with lateral decompression is often used.

The surgical approach for obtaining decompression involves uses of endoscopes which involve inferior and medial walls. The approach taken is dependent upon the anatomy of the patient and the level of decompression which is to be done. If the patient is undergoing the orbitotomy for cosmetic reasons, a combination of medial wall and inferior wall decompression in combination with lateral orbitotomy may be used.

Medial wall decompression in which the medial strut is preserved between the ethmoid cavity and the inferior wall and which is balanced with the procedure of lateral decompression may be done, especially if the patient is undergoing the procedure for cosmetic reasons.



Aftercare following the surgery

The patient is advised not to blow the nose post the procedure. The follow up checks are done every one to two weeks to ensure proper healing.



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