Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Optic Nerve Transection: A Model of Adult Neuron Apoptosis in the Central Nervous System
Published on: May 12, 2011
Endoscopic orbital fat decompression for the management of proptosis in Grave's orbitopathy using a laryngeal skimmer
David S Curragh1,2, Dinesh Selva3,4
1Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, SA, 5000, Australia. davidcurragh@hotmail.com.
Backgrounds/Objectives:
Intraoperative handling and manipulation of orbital fat remains a challenge to orbital surgeons. We present a case series of endoscopic orbital fat decompression with medial orbital wall decompression for proptosis management in Grave's orbitopathy, describing a technique for fat excision using a laryngeal skimmer blade, reporting clinical and surgical outcomes, and complications.
Subjects/Methods:
All patients who underwent endoscopic orbital fat decompression, with medial orbital wall decompression, for proptosis management in Grave's orbitopathy between 2011 and 2018, under the care of a single surgeon, were included in this retrospective interventional case series.
Results:
Nineteen patients were included in this study. Using a laryngeal skimmer blade, orbital fat was excised endoscopically at the time of medial orbital wall decompression. The mean volume of orbital fat excised was 1.45 ± 0.63 ml and the mean reduction in proptosis was 4.5 ± 1.02 mm. There were no intraoperative complications.
Conclusions:
In this study, we describe our experience of using a laryngeal skimmer blade as a method of excising orbital fat for orbital decompression in patients with proptosis secondary to Grave's orbitopathy.
