Ultrasonic bone removal versus high-speed burring for lateral orbital decompression: comparison of surgical outcomes for the treatment of thyroid eye disease

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasonic bone removal during lateral orbital decompression for thyroid eye disease.

Methods: Retrospective, comparative, interventional case series of lateral orbital decompressions performed by the senior author for thyroid eye disease between July 2005 and July 2008. Patients were excluded if they had other coexisting orbital conditions or concurrent decompression of other orbital walls. Primary outcome measures included visual acuity, proptosis, lagophthalmos, eyelid retraction, and exposure keratopathy.

Results: Thirty-six consecutive lateral orbital decompressions performed by the senior author were reviewed. The Sonopet Omni ultrasonic surgical aspirator was used to remove the lateral wall in 18 cases, and a high-speed drill with a cutting burr was used in the other 18 cases. There was no significant difference between the groups in postoperative visual acuity, proptosis reduction, lagophthalmos, eyelid retraction, exposure keratopathy, or surgical complications. The average reduction in proptosis was 3.9 mm (range, 1-6.5 mm) in the Sonopet group and 4.0 mm (range, 1-6 mm) in the drill group (p = 0.86). In our series, the average surgical case time was slightly shorter in the Sonopet group than in the drill group (104 vs. 118 minutes, p = 0.032).

Conclusions: Ultrasonic bone removal is a safe and effective alternative to high-speed burring during lateral orbital decompression for thyroid eye disease.