Globe sparing orbital exenteration.
OBJECTIVE
Orbital exenteration has long been the oncologic standard for malignant craniofacial lesions that invade the periorbita/orbit from adjacent locations. Although oncologically sound, this radical surgical procedure is cosmetically disfiguring for all patients. Most of the reconstructive options available are complex, requiring further surgery and/or expense. We herein introduce an alternative surgical technique for radical orbital surgery that spares the globe, thereby allowing an early, aesthetic appearance at a nominal cost.


METHODS
Twenty consecutive patients requiring an oncologic orbital exenteration and meeting the indications for the new procedure underwent surgery at a tertiary care medical center. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 6 years.


RESULTS
Only 1 patient recurred in the orbit due to an error in patient selection. There was no surgical morbidity resulting from the globe-sparing technique itself.


CONCLUSIONS
Globe-sparing orbital exenteration is a one-step, oncologically sound, aesthetically superior, low-cost alternative for those patients requiring radical orbital surgery and reconstruction.
Catalano
P J
PJ
Department of Otolaryngology, Lahey Clinic, 41 Mall Road, Burlington, MA 01805, USA. Peter.J.Catalano@Lahey.org
Laidlaw
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017233:Orbit Evisceration / Q000379:methods*; D009918:Orbital Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*