Review of orbital exenteration from an eye care centre in Western India

Abstract

Purpose: Indications for orbital exenteration performed over a 10-year period from a tertiary eye care center in Western India.

Method: Retrospective review of medical records of all patients who underwent exenteration of orbit over a period from January 1999 to April 2009, at a tertiary eye care center in western India.

Result: Out of total 236 major orbital surgeries performed, 15 (6%) underwent orbital exenteration. Age ranged from 19 years to 75 years. Of these 9 were male and 6 female. Except for one case all exenteration were for malignant neoplasm. Lesions originated from eyelid in 8 (54%) cases, orbit in 5 (33%) cases and bulbar conjunctiva in 2 (13%) cases. Histopathological classification of the neoplasm were sebaceous carcinoma (4 cases), basal cell carcinoma (3 cases), squamous cell carcinoma (3 cases), adenoid cystic carcinoma (1 case), transitional cell carcinoma (1 case), malignant fibrous histiocytoma (1 case), lymphoma (1 case) and mucormycosis (1 case).

Conclusion: Majority of exenterations performed were for neglected ocular or adnexal malignant lesions that could have been avoided provided patients reported earlier for treatment. Exenterations can be reduced by aggressive patient education about eye malignancy.