Ventral transpalpebral anterior orbitotomy: surgical description and report of 3 cases

To describe a surgical approach to allow access to the ventral anterior canine orbit and report outcomes of three cases.

After induction of general anesthesia and aseptic preparation of the surgical site, a 2.5- to 3-cm curvilinear skin incision was created through the inferior eyelid at the level of the ventral orbital rim. A combination of sharp and blunt dissection facilitated entrance into the ventral anterior orbital space for the removal of diseased tissues or allows for drainage of purulent debris. Two-layer closure was performed, and postoperative lateral temporary tarsorrhaphy sutures were retained to provide globe protection.

Three dogs underwent unilateral ventral transpalpebral anterior orbitotomy. Prior to surgery, apart from a complete ophthalmic examination, ocular ultrasound was used to diagnose orbital disease in two cases, and MRI was utilized in the third case. Exploratory orbitotomy revealed a large mucocele in case 1, orbital bacterial abscessation in case 2, and necrotizing zygomatic sialoadenitis in case 3. Clinical exophthalmos resolved immediately after surgery. The surgical site in all cases healed within 2 weeks. One patient had a superficial corneal ulceration 2 weeks after surgery which healed uneventfully. Recurrence of orbital disease was not noted in any case.

Ventral transpalpebral anterior orbitotomy is a simple procedure that allows easy access to the ventral anterior orbit to allow for removal of diseased tissues or to facilitate drainage of abscessation. Recurrence of orbital disease was not seen in any patient, with one patient experiencing blindness as a long-term complication following the procedure.