[Orbital decompression in Graves' orbitopathy].

INTRODUCTION: This paper was aimed at presenting our experience and results in the surgical management for proptosis in patients with Graves' orbitopathy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective, interventional, non-comparative case series review. Seventeen eyes often patients underwent orbital decompression between 2008 and 2009. Depending on case, the surgery involved one to 3 orbital walls with or without fat removal, being approached through combined transcaruncular and lower fornix incision. RESULTS: All the operated patients were females, their mean age being 48, with proptosis ranging from 21 to 28 mm, and 18 to 22 mm three months after surgery. A mean reduction in proptosis of 4.59 +/- 1.58 mm was attained. Intra-operative course was uneventful and post-operatively transient infraorbital hypoesthesia was seen in twelve patients (70.57%). CONCLUSION: Orbital decompression proved to be a safe, reliable and effective way to reduce proptosis provided that the procedure is carefully planned and properly performed.