title: Traditional approaches to the orbit.
abstract: The selection of the surgical approach to the orbit depends on the indication for surgery and the location, size, and extent of the lesion. For the anterior half of the orbit, anterior orbitotomy provides adequate exposure. For the posterior half, more extensive procedures with osteotomy are necessary. This article details the external approaches to the orbit. The traditional approaches for orbital decompression for Grave's ophthalmopathy are also described.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 3635 Vista Avenue at Grand Boulevard, 6 FDT, Saint Louis, MO 63104, USA.
authors.forename: Aayesha M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Varvares
mesh_terms: D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D009915:Orbit / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery*; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000601:surgery*