Correction of Involutional Entropion by Excising Redundant Skin and Pretarsal Orbicularis Muscle without Vertical and Horizontal Tarsal Fixation

Purpose@#This study evaluated the effect of the excision of redundant skin and pretarsal orbicularis muscle, without vertical or horizontal tarsal fixation, on the correction of involutional entropion. @*Methods@#This retrospective interventional case series recruited patients with involutional entropion who underwent excision of redundant skin and pretarsal orbicularis muscle, without vertical or horizontal tarsal fixation, from May 2018 to December 2021. Preoperative clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes, including recurrence at 1, 3, and 6 months, were determined by reviewing the medical charts. Surgical treatment included the excision of redundant skin and pretarsal orbicularis muscle, without any tarsal fixation, and simple skin suture. @*Results@#All 52 patients (58 eyelids) attended every follow-up visit and were thus included in the analysis. Among 58 eyelids, 55 (94.8%) had satisfactory results. The recurrence rate was 3.45% (two eyelids) and the overcorrection rate was 1.7% (one eyelid). @*Conclusions@#Excision of only redundant skin and the pretarsal orbicularis muscle, without capsulopalpebral fascia reattachment or horizontal lid laxity correction, is a simple surgery for correcting involutional entropion.

Phospholipase C-γ as a Potential Therapeutic Target for Graves’ Orbitopathy

Background@#Phospholipase C-γ (PLC-γ) plays a crucial role in immune responses and is related to the pathogenesis of various inflammatory disorders. In this study, we investigated the role of PLC-γ and the therapeutic effect of the PLC-specific inhibitor U73122 using orbital fibroblasts from patients with Graves’ orbitopathy (GO). @*Methods@#The expression of phospholipase C gamma 1 (PLCG1) and phospholipase C gamma 2 (PLCG2) was evaluated using polymerase chain reaction in GO and normal orbital tissues/fibroblasts. The primary cultures of orbital fibroblasts were treated with non-toxic concentrations of U73122 with or without interleukin (IL)-1β to determine its therapeutic efficacy. The proinflammatory cytokine levels and activation of downstream signaling molecules were determined using Western blotting. @*Results@#PLCG1 and PLCG2 mRNA expression was significantly higher in GO orbital tissues than in controls (P<0.05). PLCG1 and PLCG2 mRNA expression was significantly increased (P<0.05) in IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and a cluster of differentiation 40 ligand-stimulated GO fibroblasts. U73122 significantly inhibited the IL-1β-induced expression of proinflammatory molecules, including IL-6, IL-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, cyclooxygenase-2, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt) and p38 (p-p38) kinase in GO fibroblasts, whereas it inhibited IL-6, IL-8, and ICAM-1, and p-Akt and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK) in normal fibroblasts (P<0.05). @*Conclusion@#PLC-γ-inhibiting U73122 suppressed the production of proinflammatory cytokines and the phosphorylation of Akt and p38 kinase in GO fibroblasts. This study indicates the implications of PLC-γ in GO pathogenesis and its potential as a therapeutic target for GO.

A Study of Entropion Occurred after Lower Eyelid Cosmetic Surgery

Purpose@#Cosmetic procedures for lower eyelids are popular in the field of plastic surgery for patients who want to make their eyes look bigger in Korea. We have experienced patients who developed entropion after the lower eyelid cosmetic procedure and treated it surgically, and therefore we would like to report on these cases. @*Methods@#From 2015 to 2021, among all patients diagnosed as having entropion at Woori Yonsei eye clinic, 34 patients with a history of lower eyelid plastic procedure were included in this study. @*Results@#All patients were female and their mean age was 30.6 years. We classified subjects from grade I to grade IV according to the degree of resistance to the lower eyelid retraction and lower eyelid upward movement restriction. The Hotz operation was performed in all patients. Filler removal, lower eyelid retraction recession, or palate mucosal transplantation were additionally performed depending on the severity of entropion. @*Conclusions@#After the cosmetic procedure of lower eyelid, some patients had entropion as a complication and required surgery. To prevent these complications, sufficient pre-examination of eye conditions such as the degree of relaxation of the lower eyelid, size of eyelid fissure, morphological problems, and reevaluation of surgical technique are required before the procedure starts. In addition, it seems the patients need to provide with sufficient explanation about the necessity of the procedure and its side effects.

Relationship between Serum Thyroid-stimulating Hormone Receptor Autoantibodies and Activity and Severity of Thyroid Eye Disease

Purpose@#To study the relationship between the levels of serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-receptor autoantibodies (TRAbs) and thyroid eye disease (TED) activity and severity scores. @*Methods@#A cross-sectional study was performed. The medical records of 315 patients diagnosed with TED between March 2014 and December 2019 were reviewed. The clinical activity score (CAS) was used to assess TED activity and a modified NOSPECS score was used for severity grading. The serum TRAb level was measured using two assays: a TSHR binding inhibitory immunoglobulin (TBII) assay and thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) bioassay. @*Results@#The TBII and TSI assay results were significantly positively correlated with the CAS (R = 0.113 and 0.211, respectively; p < 0.05), modified NOSPECS score (R = 0.173 and 0.316, respectively; p < 0.05), and proptosis (R = 0.136 and 0.167, respectively; p < 0.05). Both assays demonstrated significant differences in the level of TRAb between patients with and without compressive optic neuropathy or corneal epithelial defects. @*Conclusions@#The levels of TRAbs according to both TBII and TSI assays showed significant correlations with clinical signs of corneal involvement, optic neuropathy, and TED activity and severity.

Delayed Massive Expansion of Subgaleal Hematoma Complicated with Proptosis in Hemophilia B / 대한신경손상학회지

Proptosis after a subgaleal hematoma (SGH) is a rare condition that may require immediate intervention to prevent visual loss. A 12-year-old boy presented with localized SGH in the left parietal area after hair-pulling. The SGH was massively expanded on the entire scalp on the 3rd day of the trauma. On the next day after the massive expansion, proptosis of the right eye occurred suddenly. Emergent needle aspiration of the SGH was performed, and the proptosis improved slightly. Fortunately, his vision did not deteriorate. After all, he was diagnosed with coagulation factor IX deficiency (hemophilia B). The supraorbital notch could be a passage of the SGH to extend into the subperiosteal space of the orbit.

ASYMMETRY OF PREOPERATIVE INCISION DESIGN MARKINGS FOR UPPER BLEPHAROPLASTY / Шинэ санаа Шинэ нээлт

@#BACKGROUND: Loss of skin elasticity due to redundancy of the upper eyelid (dermatochalasis) and falling of the upper eyelid border to a lower position (blepharoptosis) are often the earliest signs of facial aging. Upper eyelid blepharoplasty is an effective procedure to establish a good eyelid position, and is the most common facial cosmetic procedure [1]. When performing upper eyelid blepharoplasty, eyelid symmetry is essential for a satisfactory surgical outcome. Even if not possible, every surgeon tries to achieve complete symmetry when performing aesthetic eyelid surgery [2]. Several previous studies by surgeons with > 10 years of experience reported how preoperative incision markings should be made to achieve satisfactory surgical outcomes and excellent surgical results for upper eyelid blepharoplasty [3-7]. However, none of these studies investigated naturally occurring asymmetry when applying a preoperative design for upper blepharoplasty incision markings. During the preoperative design step, we noticed certain asymmetric tendencies. We therefore characterised these differences to ensure a more effective preoperative design for upper blepharoplasty incision markings for both eyelids. METHODS: This retrospective study examined 22 patients who underwent bilateral upper blepharoplasty surgery resulting from senile dermatochalasis and/or blepharoptosis. The initial preoperative incision design markings were drawn with the patient sitting upright. Then, with the patient in a supine position, preoperative design photographs were taken. We measured medial canthal excision angle (MCA), maximal lid excision height (MLH), maximal lid excision width (MLW), peak point angle, and peak point distance and compared measurements between both upper eyelids designs using Image J software. RESULTS: The mean MCA for the right side (30.68 ± 10.16°) was significantly different to that for the left side (35.39 ± 13.82°; p < 0.001). The mean MLH for the right side (1.17 ± 0.24 cm) was significantly different to that for the left side (1.24 ± 0.25 cm; p = 0.002). The mean MLW for the right side (0.72 ± 0.19 cm) was significantly different to that for the left side (0.77 ± 0.21 cm; p = 0.011). The mean peak point angle for the right side (15.67 ± 5.09°) was significantly different to that for the left side (18.11 ± 5.49°; p = 0.001). The mean peak point distance for the right side (2.41 ± 0.31°) was significantly different to that for the left side (2.22 ± 0.28 cm; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: In upper blepharoplasty, the preoperative incision marking design measurements of the left side were significantly greater than those of the right side. The symmetry can therefore be maximised by including the asymmetries in the preoperative design.

Traumatic Optic Neuropathy / 대한신경손상학회지

Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) refers to optic nerve injury resulting from direct and indirect head and facial trauma. The pathogenesis of indirect TON has not been fully elucidated, and the management of TON remains controversial. In this review article, I review the recent literature regarding TON and discuss how to manage indirect TON.

Development of Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy in Patients Who Underwent Total Thyroidectomy

PURPOSE: To report clinical characteristics of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) in patients who previously underwent total thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer or a benign mass of the thyroid. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of the patients who were diagnosed with TAO from March 2008 to March 2012, we performed a retrospective chart review on those who had undergone total thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer or a benign mass of the thyroid before the occurrence of ophthalmopathy. RESULTS: Of the 206 patients diagnosed with TAO, seven (3.4%) met the inclusion criteria. The mean age of the subjects was 47.4 years, and all were female. Six patients were diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer, and one was diagnosed with a benign mass. The duration between total thyroidectomy and onset of TAO ranged from 3-120 months (median 48 months). Ophthalmic manifestations varied among cases. Except for the patient who was diagnosed with a benign mass, all patients showed hyperthyroid status and were under Synthroid hormone treatment at the time of TAO development. Five of these six patients had positive levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor autoantibodies. CONCLUSION: TAO rarely develops after total thyroidectomy, and the mechanism of TAO occurrence is unclear. However, most patients showed abnormalities in thyroid function and TSH receptor autoantibodies.

Clinical Association of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Receptor Antibody Levels with Disease Severity in the Chronic Inactive Stage of Graves' Orbitopathy

PURPOSE: To investigate associations between serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor antibody (TRAb) levels and Graves' orbitopathy (GO) activity/severity in chronic-stage GO and compare the performance of two newly-developed TRAb assays (third-generation TSH-binding inhibition immunoglobulin [TBII] assay versus Mc4 thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin [TSI] bioassay). METHODS: This study is a retrospective review of medical charts and blood tests from Korean GO patients who first visited the departments of ophthalmology and endocrinology, Yonsei University College of Medicine from January 2008 to December 2011, were diagnosed with GO and Graves' hyperthyroidism, and were followed up for > or =18 months. Third-generation M22-TBII and Mc4-TSI assays were performed in the chronic-inactive GO patients in whom euthyroidism status was restored. Patients' GO activity/severity clinical activity scores (CAS), and modified NOSPECS scores were examined for a correlation with TRAb assays. RESULTS: Fifty patients (mean age, 41.3 years; 41 females) were analyzed. The mean duration of Graves' hyperthyroidism symptom was 63 months (range, 18 to 401 months) and that of GO was 46 months (range, 18 to 240 months). All patients had been treated previously with anti-thyroid drugs for a median period of 52.3 months, and two patients underwent either radioiodine therapy or total thyroidectomy. Mean CAS and NOSPECS scores were 0.5 +/- 0.9 (standard deviation) and 4.8 +/- 3.1, respectively. Mean M22-TBII and Mc4-TSI values were 7.5 +/- 10.2 IL/L and 325.9 +/- 210.1 specimen-to-reference control ratio. TSI was significantly correlated with NOSPECS score (R = 0.479, p 0.05), because GO inflammatory activity subsided in the chronic stages of GO. CONCLUSIONS: In chronic-inactive GO after euthyroid restoration, GO activity score did not associate with serum levels of TRAb or TBII. However, levels of the functional antibody Mc4-TSI did correlate with GO severity. Therefore, the TSI bioassay is a clinically relevant measure of disease severity even in chronic inactive GO.

Surgical Outcomes of Canalicular Trephination Combined with Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy in Patients with Distal or Common Canalicular Obstruction

PURPOSE: This study investigated the surgical outcomes of canalicular trephination combined with endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) in patients with a distal or common canalicular obstruction. It also identified the factors affecting surgical success rates associated with this technique. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 57 patients (59 eyes) in whom a canalicular obstruction was encountered during endoscopic DCR. All patients were treated with endoscopic DCR, followed by canalicular trephination and silicone tube placement. The surgical outcome was categorized as a functional success according to the patient's subjective assessment of symptoms, including epiphora, and as an anatomical success according to a postoperative nasolacrimal duct irrigation test. Surgical success rates were compared based on age, sex, location of the obstruction, number of silicone tubes, and experience of the surgeon. RESULTS: Functional success was achieved in 55 of 59 eyes (93%) at one month, 50 eyes (84%) at three months, and 46 eyes (78%) at six months. Anatomical success was achieved in 58 of 59 eyes (98%) at one month, 52 eyes (88%) at three months, and 50 eyes (84%) at six months. There was a statistically significant difference in surgical outcome according to the experience of the surgeon. The anatomical success rate at the six-month follow-up exam was 95.4% in the >5 years of experience group, and 53.3% in the <5 years of experience group (p = 0.008, Pearson chi-square test). CONCLUSIONS: The success rate of canalicular trephination combined with endoscopic DCR in patients with a distal or common canalicular obstruction decreased gradually during the six-month follow-up period. In particular, patients undergoing procedures with experienced surgeons tended to show excellent surgical outcomes at the six-month follow-up exam.

Reconstruction of Orbital Medial Wall Fracture with Absorbable and Non-Absorbable Orbital Implant: Comparative Study

PURPOSE: To compare the surgical results and complications of medial wall fracture reconstruction using non-absorbable porous polyethylene implants (Medpor(R), Stryker Instruments, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA) and an absorbable polymer of polyglycolic acid (PGA) and polylactic acid (PLA) (Mesh plate(R), Inion Ltd, Tampere, Finland). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients who underwent reconstruction of medial wall fracture between January 2007 and June 2012 and divided them into 2 groups according to orbital implant type (Medpor(R), Mesh plate(R)). RESULTS: Among the 86 patients, 37 were treated with Medpor(R) and 49 with Mesh plate(R). There was no statistically significant difference in limitation of motion or diplopia score between the 2 groups at postoperative 6 months (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.192, p = 0.128, respectively). Mean postoperative exophthalmometry differences between the eyes were 0.49 +/- 1.04 mm and 0.37 +/- 0.62 mm in Medpor(R) and Mesh plate(R) groups, respectively, showing no statistically significant difference (independent t-test, p = 0.512). Postoperative complications such as inflammation or implant malposition were observed only in 3 patients in the Medpor(R) group. CONCLUSIONS: No difference was observed between Medpor(R) and Mesh plate(R) in terms of surgical results during the postoperative 6 month period after reconstruction of orbital medial wall fracture. However, postoperative complications were observed in 3 patients in the Medpor(R) group.

Reconstruction of Orbital Medial Wall Fracture with Absorbable and Non-Absorbable Orbital Implant: Comparative Study

PURPOSE: To compare the surgical results and complications of medial wall fracture reconstruction using non-absorbable porous polyethylene implants (Medpor(R), Stryker Instruments, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA) and an absorbable polymer of polyglycolic acid (PGA) and polylactic acid (PLA) (Mesh plate(R), Inion Ltd, Tampere, Finland). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients who underwent reconstruction of medial wall fracture between January 2007 and June 2012 and divided them into 2 groups according to orbital implant type (Medpor(R), Mesh plate(R)). RESULTS: Among the 86 patients, 37 were treated with Medpor(R) and 49 with Mesh plate(R). There was no statistically significant difference in limitation of motion or diplopia score between the 2 groups at postoperative 6 months (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.192, p = 0.128, respectively). Mean postoperative exophthalmometry differences between the eyes were 0.49 +/- 1.04 mm and 0.37 +/- 0.62 mm in Medpor(R) and Mesh plate(R) groups, respectively, showing no statistically significant difference (independent t-test, p = 0.512). Postoperative complications such as inflammation or implant malposition were observed only in 3 patients in the Medpor(R) group. CONCLUSIONS: No difference was observed between Medpor(R) and Mesh plate(R) in terms of surgical results during the postoperative 6 month period after reconstruction of orbital medial wall fracture. However, postoperative complications were observed in 3 patients in the Medpor(R) group.

Graded Decompression of Orbital Fat and Wall in Patients with Graves' Orbitopathy

PURPOSE: To investigate the results of graded decompression of orbital fat and walls in Graves' orbitopathy (GO) considering the degree of proptosis reduction at surgery and preoperative computed tomography (CT) findings. METHODS: This is a retrospective interventional case series. Graded orbital fat and wall decompression was performed in 90 orbits of 55 patients. In patients with enlarged extraocular muscles and minimal orbital fat proliferation in preoperative CT scans, one- or two-wall decompression of posterior orbit was performed with minimal fat excision. In other cases, the maximal amount of fat tissue was removed from the post-septal area to the apex. If the proptosis was not satisfactorily symmetrically reduced at surgery, one- or two-wall decompression was performed successively. Symmetric reduction of proptosis was consistently confirmed intraoperatively to assure that a desired amount of exophthalmos reduction was achieved. RESULTS: Four types of decompression were performed: fat only (group 1), fat and one-wall (group 2), fat and two-wall (group 3), and two-wall and minimal fat decompression (group 4). The mean preoperative Hertel value (20.6 +/- 2.8 mm) was reduced significantly at six months postoperatively (16.1 +/- 2.3 mm). Proptosis significantly decreased with a mean of 4.3 +/- 1.7 mm, and the reduction was greatest (5.1 +/- 2.1 mm) in group 3. In group 1, a significant correlation between Hertel change and the volume of resected orbital fat was found (r = 0.479). Diplopia was newly developed or aggravated postoperatively in eight patients, and six of these patients were in group 3. With the exception of one patient, visual acuity improved to nearly normal postoperatively in all patients with optic neuropathy. CONCLUSIONS: Graded orbital decompression of orbital fat and bony walls, as assessed by the degree of proptosis reduction during surgery, was effective and predictable with minimal complications in GO patients with vision-threatening or cosmetically disfiguring proptosis.

Graded Decompression of Orbital Fat and Wall in Patients with Graves' Orbitopathy

PURPOSE: To investigate the results of graded decompression of orbital fat and walls in Graves' orbitopathy (GO) considering the degree of proptosis reduction at surgery and preoperative computed tomography (CT) findings. METHODS: This is a retrospective interventional case series. Graded orbital fat and wall decompression was performed in 90 orbits of 55 patients. In patients with enlarged extraocular muscles and minimal orbital fat proliferation in preoperative CT scans, one- or two-wall decompression of posterior orbit was performed with minimal fat excision. In other cases, the maximal amount of fat tissue was removed from the post-septal area to the apex. If the proptosis was not satisfactorily symmetrically reduced at surgery, one- or two-wall decompression was performed successively. Symmetric reduction of proptosis was consistently confirmed intraoperatively to assure that a desired amount of exophthalmos reduction was achieved. RESULTS: Four types of decompression were performed: fat only (group 1), fat and one-wall (group 2), fat and two-wall (group 3), and two-wall and minimal fat decompression (group 4). The mean preoperative Hertel value (20.6 +/- 2.8 mm) was reduced significantly at six months postoperatively (16.1 +/- 2.3 mm). Proptosis significantly decreased with a mean of 4.3 +/- 1.7 mm, and the reduction was greatest (5.1 +/- 2.1 mm) in group 3. In group 1, a significant correlation between Hertel change and the volume of resected orbital fat was found (r = 0.479). Diplopia was newly developed or aggravated postoperatively in eight patients, and six of these patients were in group 3. With the exception of one patient, visual acuity improved to nearly normal postoperatively in all patients with optic neuropathy. CONCLUSIONS: Graded orbital decompression of orbital fat and bony walls, as assessed by the degree of proptosis reduction during surgery, was effective and predictable with minimal complications in GO patients with vision-threatening or cosmetically disfiguring proptosis.

Outcomes of Isolated Medial Orbital Wall Fracture Reconstructions

PURPOSE: To evaluate surgical results after the reconstruction of isolated medial orbital wall fractures. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with isolated medial orbital wall fractures who underwent reconstruction using the transcaruncular approach from March 2012 to October 2013. Computed tomography (CT) was performed before and after surgery. Postoperative follow-ups were conducted at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months. Diplopia, ocular motility, postoperative complication, and exophthalmometry were recorded at each follow-up visit. Preoperative and postoperative enophthalmos was quantified using Hertel exophthalmometry and a quantitative method for the area of the circular sector under the chord (CA)/orbital area (OA) ratio at the CT scan. Patients were divided into either the incomplete or complete reduction groups based on the degree of reduction observed on postoperative CT. RESULTS: We evaluated 55 patients (42 males, 13 females) with an average age of 36 years. Five of 55 patients with preoperative enophthalmos of more than 2 mm obtained good symmetry after surgery. Diplopia at primary gaze was resolved in 9 of 9 patients and 2 patients had residual diplopia on lateral gaze. The difference of exophthalmometry and CA-to OA ratio between before and after reconstruction was not significantly changed in either the incomplete or complete groups. CONCLUSIONS: Enophthalmos and diplopia were well corrected in all subjects. If reduction was successfully performed in the anterior portion of medial orbital wall fracture, clinically significant enophthalmos might be preventable even if complete reduction was not obtained.

Comparison Results of Silicone Tube Intubation According to Syringing and Dacryocystography

PURPOSE: To compare the surgical success rate of silicone tube intubation according to the preoperative lacrimal syringing test and dacryocystography (DCG) in adult patients with epiphora. METHODS: Medical records of 142 patients who underwent silicone tube intubation were retrospectively reviewed. The surgical results were divided into 3 groups based on postoperative symptoms and the syringing test results: Good, Fair, and Fail. Good and Fair were classified into the surgical success groups. We compared the surgical success rate according to the preoperative syringing test and stenosis site observed on dacryocystography. RESULTS: The success rates of silicone tube intubation were 88.4% and 87.4% in eyes with preoperative syringing results of totally-passed and partially-passed syringing tests, respectively, revealing no statistically significant differences (p = 0.838, chi-square test). However, in eyes with the preoperative syringing results of partially-passed syringing tests, the success rates were 66.7% in patients with canalicular stenosis, 83.3% in patients with nasolacrimal duct stenosis, and 94.5% in those with diffuse stenosis (p = 0.018, chi-square test). CONCLUSIONS: No significant differences were found in the success rates of silicone tube intubation according to preoperative syringing test results. However, when considered together with DCG findings, the lowest success rate was found in eyes with the partially-passed syringing test and simultaneously showed canalicular stenosis on DCG. The syringing test results considered with DCG findings may help predict the success rates of silicone tube intubation.

Comparison of Pain-relieving Effects of Fentanyl versus Ketorolac after Eye Amputation Surgery

PURPOSE: To investigate the analgesic effect and incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) between the opioid fentanyl and the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ketorolac in patients who underwent eye amputation surgery. METHODS: Retrospective observational case series. Eighty-two patients underwent evisceration or enucleation surgery by one surgeon over a 2-year period. Fentanyl by intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) at 20 microg/kg with 12 mg/kg ondansetron or intravenous ketorolac at 2 mg/kg/day was administered to patients at postoperative days 0, 1, and 2. The pain score was measured using an 11-point visual analog scale (VAS). The incidence of severe nausea requiring anti-emetics and the incidence of vomiting were reviewed. RESULTS: The mean postoperative VAS in the fentanyl group was significantly lower than that in the ketorolac group on the day of operation for both types of surgery (p = 0.001 and p = 0.004, respectively). At postoperative days 1 and 2, the mean VAS was not different between the two groups for either surgical type (p > 0.05 for both days). The mean VAS was significantly higher in eviscerated patients than in enucleated patients at postoperative days 0 and 1 in the fentanyl group (p = 0.023 and p = 0.016, respectively). However, this was not observed in the ketorolac group. The incidence of PONV was higher in the fentanyl group than in the ketorolac group, although this was not statistically significant for either surgical type (p > 0.05 for both groups). CONCLUSIONS: Fentanyl was more effective as an analgesic than was ketorolac on the day of operation for both surgical types. There was no difference between the two analgesics on postoperative day 1. The analgesic effect of fentanyl in enucleated patients was significantly higher than in eviscerated patients at postoperative days 0 and 1. The use of fentanyl by IV-PCA was associated with greater PONV despite co-administration with anti-emetics, although this finding was not significant.

Correlation between TSH Receptor Antibody Assays and Clinical Manifestations of Graves' Orbitopathy

PURPOSE: To investigate an association between the levels of serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-receptor autoantibodies (TRAbs) and Graves' orbitopathy (GO) activity/severity scores, and compare the performance of three different TRAb assays in assessing the clinical manifestations of GO. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Medical records of 155 patients diagnosed with GO between January 2008 and December 2010 were reviewed. GO activity was assessed by clinical activity score (CAS) and severity graded with the modified NOSPECS score by a single observer. Serum TRAb was measured by three different methods: 1st generation thyrotropin-binding inhibitor immunoglobulin (TBII) assay (TRAb1st); 3rd generation TBII assay (TRAb3rd); and biological quantitative assay of thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) using Mc4-CHO cells (Mc4-CHO TSI assay). Results were correlated with scores of activity/severity of thyroid eye disease. RESULTS: All three assays (TRAb1st, TRAb3rd, and Mc4-CHO TSI) yielded results that were significantly positively correlated with CAS (beta=0.21, 0.21, and 0.46, respectively; p<0.05) and proptosis (beta=0.38, 0.34, and 0.33, respectively; p<0.05). Mc4-CHO TSI bioassay results were significantly positively correlated with all GO severity indices (soft tissue involvement, proptosis, extraocular muscle involvement, and total eye score; beta=0.31, 0.33, 0.25, and 0.39, respectively; p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Mc4-CHO TSI bioassay was superior over the two TBIIs in assessing active inflammation and muscle restriction due to GO, whereas TBII assay would be sufficient for evaluation of patients with proptosis.

Clinical Characteristics of Pediatric Orbital Pseudotumors

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical manifestations, radiologic findings, and treatment outcomes of pediatric pseudotumors. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with pediatric pseudotumor (age under 20 years old) from August 2008 to February 2012 was performed. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (16 eyes) were included in this study. The mean age of the subjects was 14.2 years (5-20 years). Swollen eyelid (56.3%), ptosis (43.8%), conjunctival injection (18.8%), localized mass (18.8%), limitation of ocular movement (12.5%), proptosis (6.3%), and decreased visual acuity (6.3%) were found initially. Dacryoadenitis (62.5%), myositis (18.8%), anterior orbital inflammation (18.8%), and diffuse type (6.3%) were observed on orbital computed tomography (CT). Among the 13 patients (16 eyes), 8 patients (10 eyes) were administered oral systemic corticosteroids, 2 patients (2 eyes) received IV systemic corticosteroid, 1 patient (1 eye) received systemic corticosteroids combined with NSAID, and 2 patients (3 eyes) were prescribed NSAIDs only. Symptoms improved 4.1 days after initiation of treatment. CT scans revealed that one patient experienced diffuse-type disease recurrence twice. CONCLUSIONS: Orbital pseudotumors, which are rare in younger people, are likely to respond very well to corticosteroid treatment, and the recurrence of orbital inflammation is rare.

Clinical Results of Nasopore(R) Nasal Packing on Endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of Nasopore(R) as a nasal packing material on the surgical success rate and prevalence of postoperative complications after endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). METHODS: The present study included a total of 558 patients (699 eyes) with primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction who underwent endonasal DCR; 227 eyes were packed with Nasopore(R) and 472 eyes were packed with Merocel(R). The surgical success rate and postoperative complications such as synechiae, granulation, wound healing (osteal mucosal epithelium epithelialization), postoperative bleeding, infection, and revision rate were compared between the packing materials. RESULTS: The surgical success rate of the Nasopore(R) group (99.1%, 98.6%) showed significantly better results than the Merocel(R) group (97.2%, 95.1%) at postoperative 1 and 3 months (p = 0.04, 0.03 Pearson chi-square test), whereas there was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in postoperative surgical success rate at 1 week and 6 months. In comparison of postoperative complications, the Nasopore(R) group (0%) showed a lower incidence of delayed wound healing (delayed epithelialization of osteal mucosal epithelium) than the Merocel(R) group (2.3%; p = 0.013), whereas there was no difference in granulation, synechiae, postoperative bleeding, infection and revision rate (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The Nasopore(R) group showed a lower proportion of delayed wound healing and improvement of the surgical success rate at an early postoperative period after endonasal DCR compared to non-absorbable nasal packing material.