Cutting-edge endonasal surgical approaches to thyroid ophthalmopathy

Abstract

Objective: Thyroid orbitopathy is a poorly understood extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves' disease that can cause disfiguring proptosis and vision loss. Orbital decompression surgery for Graves' orbitopathy (GO) can address both cosmetic and visual sequelae of this autoimmune condition. Endonasal endoscopic orbital decompression provides unmatched visualization and access to inferomedial orbital wall and orbital apex. This review examines the state of the art approaches employed in endonasal endoscopic orbital decompression for GO. Methods: Review of literature evaluating novel surgical maneuvers for GO. Results: Studies examining the efficacy of endonasal endoscopic orbital decompression are heterogenous and retrospective in design; however, they reveal this approach to be a safe and effective technique in the management of GO. Conclusion: Subtle variations in endoscopic techniques significantly affect postsurgical outcomes and can be tailored to the specific clinical indication in GO making endonasal endoscopic decompression the most versatile approach available. Level of Evidence: NA.