Beveled osteotomy with lateral wall advancement and interpositional bone grafting for severe thyroid orbitopathy

To present a new technique for orbital decompressions for patients with severe thyroid orbitopathy that minimizes complications while maximizing the amount of decompression. This method involves advancing the lateral orbital wall in such a way as to promote osseous union and minimize cosmetic deformities.

This paper represents a case series (42 eyes from 26 patients) of orbital decompressions for severe thyroid related orbitopathy. All patients were treated via a graded balanced orbital decompression with advancement of the lateral orbital wall with interpositional bone grafts. Preoperative and postoperative measurements were tabulated and statistically analyzed.

All patients demonstrated significant improvement in proptosis with an average Hertel exophthalmometry reduction of 8 mm. In addition, 22 patient orbits with preoperative elevation of intraocular pressure demonstrated an average 7 mm Hg improvement in postoperative intraocular pressure. Seven patients required strabismus surgery postoperatively and no patient developed new onset strabismus after surgery. Of all patients, 54% demonstrated improvement of visual acuity of greater than 1 line and no patient experienced a decrease in visual acuity. Postoperative computed tomography scan demonstrated osseous union of the lateral wall after advancement with this new technique. No patient complained of a palpable deformity of the lateral orbital wall.

The graded balanced orbital decompression with interpositional bone grafts effectively decompressed the orbit with significant improvement in final visual acuity, exophthalmometry measurements, and final intraocular pressure. In addition, this technique promotes osseous union with minimal cosmetic deformities.