[Orbital decompression by endoscopic transnasal and transantral approach in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy].

Objectives: We evaluated the results of orbital decompression in patients with Graves' disease.

Patients And Methods: Orbital decompression was performed by endoscopic transnasal medial wall approach and transantral inferior wall approach in 18 eyes of 12 patients (8 males, 4 females; mean age 41 years; range 24 to 65 years). The degree of exophthalmos was evaluated with the use of the Hertel exophthalmometer preoperatively, and postoperatively in the 24th hour, first and third months.

Results: At the end of the third month, exophthalmos decreased by a mean of 4.4 mm (range 3 to 7 mm). Visual acuity and field defects improved considerably in all patients. Complications occurred in three cases (25%) including diplopia, displacement of one eye inferiorly, and maxillary sinusitis caused by the encroachment of the adipose tissue upon the ostium, respectively.

Conclusion: With the increasing ease of surgical procedures and enhanced experience on the part of surgeons, successful treatment of exophthalmos has become possible with decreased complication rates.