Faculty Collaboration Database

Surgical sectors of the orbit: using the lower fornix approach for large, medial intraconal tumors. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg 2002 Sep;18(5):349-54

Date

09/28/2002

Pubmed ID

12352821

DOI

10.1097/00002341-200209000-00006

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0036736516 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   23 Citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: The orbit can be viewed as comprising four surgical sectors, with several alternative incisions and dissection paths to each. Large tumors in the medial intraconal sector pose particular problems of access, exposure, and removal without functional compromise. We report the use of the lower fornix approach for excision of large tumors in this high-risk sector.

METHODS: The surgical technique is described. Its application to biopsy or subtotal resection of infiltrative lesions in the medial intraconal sector is noted. Its use for complete excision of solid, circumscribed lesions in this sector is presented in a retrospective, consecutive, noncomparative interventional case series of 5 large, medial intraconal cavernous hemangiomas.

RESULTS: The lower fornix approach provided adequate exposure for the goal of surgery in each case. Among the 5 patients with large, medial intraconal lesions, 4 had postoperative improvement in vision and 1 maintained his preoperative central acuity of 20/20. No patient had persistent symptomatic diplopia after surgery. Ease or difficulty of tumor dissection was related to the tenacity of apical fibrous attachments, a factor that appeared to be independent of the surgical approach.

CONCLUSIONS: The lower fornix approach to the orbit, an established technique for other indications, can be applied to the removal of large, medial intraconal tumors whose inferolateral poles protrude in the inferior surgical sector.

Author List

Harris GJ, Perez N

Author

Gerald J. Harris MD Professor in the Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Female
Hemangioma, Cavernous
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Middle Aged
Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures
Orbital Neoplasms
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Treatment Outcome
Visual Acuity