Endoscopic orbital decompression for dyscosmetic thyroid eye disease

Abstract

AbstractAim:To document the results of endoscopic orbital decompression performed in a group of patients with thyroid eye disease in order to improve cosmesis.Methods:A retrospective case review was performed of all patients who had undergone endoscopic orbital decompression for cosmesis in our departments during the period January 1996 to September 2002. A postal questionnaire was sent to all patients who had undergone the operation, in order to assess patient satisfaction.Results:Twenty orbits of 15 patients underwent endoscopic decompression. For all orbits, the reduction in proptosis was 3.7±2.2 mm (mean±standard deviation; t = 6.5, p = 0.001). For 16 of the endoscopic decompressions (89 per cent), patients reported that they were satisfied with the appearance of their eye post-operatively, and all patients reported a reduction in eye prominence post-operatively.Conclusion:Endoscopic decompression is an effective procedure for improving cosmesis in patients with inactive thyroid eye disease.