Minimally invasive orbital decompression for Graves' ophthalmopathy

We reviewed a 7-year experience at a tertiary-care, academic medical center with balanced, minimally invasive decompression for Graves' ophthalmopathy, in an effort to define the goals, risks, and outcomes of surgical intervention. Endoscopic medial decompression was performed in 26 patients; 23 underwent lateral decompression as well, and 13 also had inferior decompression. Septoplasty, turbinate reduction, and orbital rim augmentation were performed as needed. The indications for surgery were threat to vision (n = 10) and proptosis with a desire to return to the predisease state (rehabilitative, n = 16). The exophthalmos improved by a mean of 4.4 mm (p <. 001). All patients who had surgery for threatened vision had improved vision after the operation. There were 3 patients with new-onset postoperative diplopia, 2 of whom underwent strabismus surgery. There was 1 case of postoperative sinusitis, which resolved with oral antibiotics and nasal decongestion; and 1 case of transient ulnar neuropathy. There were no other intraoperative or postoperative complications. Modern methods of orbital decompression provide a minimally invasive, effective, and relatively safe approach to the treatment of Graves' ophthalmopathy.