[Surgery of orbital tumors with the Krönlein-Berke-Reese method in material from the Ophthalmology Clinics in Balystok]. / Operacje guzów oczodolu metoda orbitotomii bocznej Krönleina-Berkego-Reese'a w materiale Kliniki Okulistycznej w Bialymstoku.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To analyse the results of surgical treatment of tumors located in the posterior part of the orbit. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 12 patients (5 women and 7 men, aged 10-70 years) with tumors located in the posterior part of the orbit, operated on in the years 1985-1995 in Ophtalmology Clinic in Bialystok with the use of Krönlein-Berke-Reese lateral orbitotomy method. Tissues of removed tumor were evaluated histopathologically. RESULTS: In 7 cases tumor was removed completely, including 3 cases with simultaneous optic nerve removal. In 3 other cases tumor was removed partially, whereas in 2 cases eventration of the orbit was necessary. Persistent postsurgical defects of the eyeball mobility were not found in any of the patients. In 2 patients with partially removed tumor a constant blepharoptosis was observed, which required further operation. Visual acuity in patients with preserved optic nerve remained unchanged in 6 out of 7 cases. In 1 case-completely removed cavernoma-visual acuity decreased from 5/7 to 5/16. CONCLUSIONS: Lateral orbitotomy enables successful removal of tumors located in the posterior part of the orbit. Moreover, this method is relatively safe, especially in comparison with cranial approach to tumors badly located in the orbit.