Abstract

ALMEIDA, F. et al. Advancement osteotomy of the orbital rim for the treatment of severe endocrine exophthalmos. Rev Esp Cirug Oral y Maxilofac [online]. 2005, vol.27, n.2, pp.93-99. ISSN 2173-9161.

Thyroid-associated orbitopathy is a debilitating disease of the visual system that is characterized by changes in the softtissues of the orbit and periorbita as a result of an inflammatory process, or as a consequence of this, and related to systemic disorders of the thyroid gland. Apart from the aesthetic changes that arise, patients may also present persistent keratitis due to exposure, diplopia, retrobulbar pain, compression of the optic nerve and even blindness. Surgery represents the definitive treatment for exophthalmos in Graves’ orbitopathy as improvements are shown in proptosis and vision. A decrease is also experienced in ocular symptomatology and there is minimal morbidity. We present the case of severe exophthalmos that was surgically operated on with an advancement osteotomy of the supero-, lateral- and infraorbital rim, with partial removal of two of the orbital walls with lipectomy. The aesthetic results and the relief of the ocular symptoms were satisfactory.

Keywords : Endocrine exophthalmos; Orbital decompression; Obitotomy.

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