Orbital decompression in Graves-Basedow disease--preliminary report

The aim of the paper is to present our initial experience in surgical treatment of patients with malignant exophthalmos.

Methods: from 2001 to 2004, 11 patients with malignant exophthalmos were treated in our Department. Preoperative exophthalmos ranged from 22 to 40mm, asymmetric exophthalmos was diagnosed in 5 cases. Orbital decompression was indicated in patients with ophthalmopathy (11), decreased visual acuity (4), lagophthalmos (3). Decompression included orbital floor, medial and lateral wall in 8 patients, orbital floor and medial wall in 3.

Results: in 5 patients exophthalmos decreased 5-8 mm, in 5 cases 2-3 mm, 1 patient remained without improvement.

Conclusions: 1. The treatment of malignant exophthalmos requires multidisciplinary approach. 2 Orbital decompression should be followed by surgical correction of eyelids and eyeball muscles.