Simultaneous Aesthetic Eyelid Surgery and Orbital Decompression for Rehabilitation of Thyroid Eye Disease: The One-Stage Approach.

BACKGROUND

Aesthetic rehabilitation of thyroid orbitopathy includes orbital decompression, correction of eyelid retraction, and aesthetic blepharoplasty, performed traditionally in separate stages.

OBJECTIVES

To report the results of orbital decompression surgery associated with aesthetic eyelid surgery in one stage for aesthetic rehabilitation of patients affected by thyroid eye disease.

METHODS

Retrospective, multicentric study including 40 consecutive patients, who underwent orbital decompression surgery associated with aesthetic eyelid surgery in two centers: Genova (group 1) + Buenos Aires (group 2). Surgical techniques are described in detail.

RESULTS

Mean patient age in the study group was 41.2, 85% of the patients were female, and minimum follow-up time was 12 months, with average follow up of 27 months. All patients underwent orbital decompression; at the same time, 26 patients (65%) underwent bilateral upper blepharoplasty and 32 patients (80%) underwent transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty. Associated upper eyelid procedures included 23 patients (58%) undergoing upper eyelid retraction repair, 9 patients (23%) undergoing associated inferior retractor recession, and 12 patients (30%) closed transcanthal lateral canthopexy. Seven patients (17%) needed strabismus surgery for the treatment of new-onset diplopia and none required further revision eyelid surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Shorr and Seiff suggested 4 stages of surgical rehabilitation: (1) orbital decompression; (2) eye muscle surgery; (3) correction of eyelid retraction; and (4) removal of excess fat and skin. This is the first study to suggest single-stage aesthetic rehabilitation consisting of combined orbital decompression and aesthetic eyelid surgery. This approach has high patient satisfaction and significant reduction in direct and indirect healthcare costs.