Piezosurgery in Modified Pterional Orbital Decompression Surgery in Graves Disease

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Ophthalmology
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Graves disease can cause proptosis and vision impairment due to orbital tissue expansion.
• Orbital decompression surgery is a common treatment to alleviate these symptoms.
• Piezosurgery, a minimally invasive bone-cutting technology, has potential applications in craniofacial and orbital surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of piezosurgery for bone removal in orbital decompression surgery for Graves disease.
• To assess the technique's impact on adjacent soft tissues and clinical outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A piezosurgical device was used for bone removal in 14 patients (20 orbits) undergoing orbital decompression for Graves disease.
• Bone removal focused on the lateral orbital wall and orbital roof.
• Safety, precision, soft tissue preservation, and clinical outcomes were assessed.

Main Results:

• Orbital decompression was successful in all cases, with good clinical outcomes and no complications.
• Piezosurgery demonstrated safe, selective bone cutting with no damage to surrounding soft tissues.
• Limitations included intraoperative handling challenges in confined spaces and reduced bone removal efficiency compared to traditional drills.

Conclusions:

• Piezosurgery is a safe and effective tool for bone removal in orbital decompression for Graves disease.
• Its selective cutting preserves adjacent tissues, but device improvements are needed for better intraoperative usability and efficiency.