Abstract:

Objective   To evaluate the method and effect of the orbital sling technique in reducing the incidence of diplopia following endoscopic orbital decompression. Methods   Endoscopic orbital decompression was performed on 11 orbits in 5 patients with proptosis from Graves disease and 1 patient from a traumatic case. The orbital sling technique, which tailors a horizontal strip of orbital periosteum, was used to prevent prolapse of the medial rectus muscle. Results   No patients developed new-onset diplopia following the surgery. Of the 2 patients with pre-existing diplopia from the orbitopathy, double vision was improved in both patients and unchanged in the remaining four patients. The mean reduction in proptosis was 3.2mm. Conclusions   The preservation of a periosteum sling overlying the medial rectus muscle during endoscopic orbital decompression may reduce the incidence of post-operative diplopia, while still allowing for a satisfactory reduction in proptosis.

Key words:  Graves ophthalmopathy; Endoscopic surgical procedures, operative; Orbital decompression; Diplopia； Proptosis