Download PDF
J Neurol Surg B Skull Base 2021; 82(01): 007-019
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1722704
History of Orbital Surgery
Review Article

Orbital Surgery: Evolution and Revolution

Steven A. Newman
1   Neuro-ophthalmology Division, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia
› Author Affiliations
› Further Information
Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

This article traces the development of orbital surgery and its subsequent modifications. It also points out the importance of defining one’s goal before embarking on orbital surgery. Although generally considered part of ophthalmology, surgery on the orbit has been relatively neglected and not routinely practiced. This article reviews the history of development of orbital surgery, both the revolutionary ideas and the evolutionary changes. There are multiple orbital lesions that do not need to be treated with surgery at all. These days chemotherapy, radation therapy, or even immunotherapy may be more appropriate. The most common orbital pathology, that is thyroid orbitopathy, the physician needs to decide whether or not the orbit needs to be decompressed or whether there are problems related to motility that can be dealt with by eye muscle surgery.

Keywords

orbitototomy - fine needle aspiration biopsy - computerized axial topography - transconjunctival incisions - Krönlein's orbitotomy - orbital deconstruction


Publication History

Article published online:
01 March 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

  • References

  • 1 Henderson JW, Farrow GM. Orbital Tumors. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 1973: 1-8
    Google Scholar
  • 2 Bartisch G. Ophthalmodouleia. Dresden, Matthes Stöckel, 1583
    Google Scholar
  • 3 Knapp H. On cocaine and its use in ophthalmic and general surgery. Arch Ophthalmol 1884; 13: 402-408
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Atkinson WS. Retrobulbar injection of anesthetic within the muscular cone. Arch Ophthalmol 1936; 16: 494
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Swan KC. New drugs and techniques for ocular anesthesia. Trans Am Acad Ophthalmol Otolaryngol 1956; 60 (03) 368-375
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Bull CS. Diseases of the orbit. In: Norris WF, Oliver CA. eds. System of Diseases of the Eye. Vol. III. Philadelphia, PA: J.B. Lippincott Co.; 1898: 3-62
    Google Scholar
  • 7 Duke-Elder S, McFall PA. General considerations. In: MacFaul PA, Duke Elder S. eds. System of Ophthalmology. Vol. XIII. London, United Kingdom: Kimpton; 1974: 773-810
    Google Scholar
  • 8 Wood CA. Operations on the orbit. In: Wood CA. ed. The American Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Ophthalmology. Chicago, IL: Cleveland Press; 1918: 9147-9184 ; 9187–9190
    Google Scholar
  • 9 Hope T. An account of a remarkable cure performed on the eye of a young woman in Scotland. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 1744; 43: 193-200
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Bartley GB. Early American oculoplastic surgery: the lectures of Dr. John Jeffries. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg 2001; 17 (03) 157-160
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Khan JA, Albert DM. Willard Parker's 1841 orbital operation. Surv Ophthalmol 1988; 33 (02) 117-120
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Stallard HB. The presidential address. The evolution of lateral orbitotomy. Trans Ophthalmol Soc U K 1973; 93 (00) 3-17
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Krönlein RU. Zur Pathologie und operativen Berhandlung der Dermoidcystern der Orbita. Beitr Klin Chir 1888; 4: 149-163
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Knapp H. A case of carcinoma of the outer sheath of the optic nerve, removed with preservation of the eyeball. Arch Ophthalmol 1874; 4: 323-354
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Knapp H. Tumor of the optic nerve. Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc 1879; 2: 557-560
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Dandy WE. Orbital Tumors. Results Following the Transcranial Operative Attack. New York, NY: Oskar Piest; 1941
    Google Scholar
  • 17 Walsh TE, Ogura JH. Transantral orbital decompression for malignant exophthalmos. Laryngoscope 1957; 67 (06) 544-568
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Conley JJ. Medial and inferior approach to orbital tumors. In: Troutman RC, Converse JM, Smith B. eds. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery of the Eye and Adnexa. Washington, DC: Butterworth; 1962: 85-89
    Google Scholar
  • 19 Benedict WL. Removal of orbital tumors. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1934; 58: 383-389
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Benedict WL. Surgical treatment of tumors and cysts of the orbit. Am J Ophthalmol 1949; 32 (Pt.1): 763-773
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Davis FA. Primary tumors of the optic nerve. Arch Ophthalmol 1940; 23: 735-821 , 957–1018
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Smith B. Surgical approach to the orbit. In: Boniuk M. ed. Ocular and Adnexal Tumors. New and Controversial Aspects. St. Louis, MO: C.V. Mosby; 1964
    Google Scholar
  • 23 Berke RN. A modified Krönlein operation. Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc 1953; 51: 193-231
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Czermak W. Zur osteoplastinischen Resektion der äusseren Augenhöhlenwand. Dtsch med Wshr 1905; 31: 1549-1589
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Stallard HB. A plea for lateral orbitotomy (Krönlein's operation). BMJ 1947; 1 (4499): 408-409
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Callahan A. Wright's lateral orbitotomy. In: Jakobiec FA. ed. Ocular and Adnexal Tumors. Birmingham, England: Aesculapius Publishing; 1978: 893-897
    Google Scholar
  • 27 Maroon JC, Kennerdell JS. Surgical approaches to the orbit. Indications and techniques. J Neurosurg 1984; 60 (06) 1226-1235
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Jane JA, Park TS, Pobereskin LH, Winn HR, Butler AB. The supraorbital approach: technical note. Neurosurgery 1982; 11 (04) 537-542
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Reese AB. Tumors of the Eye. New York, NY: Paul B. Hoeber; 1951: 539
    Google Scholar
  • 30 Reese AB. Incidence and management of unilateral proptosis. In: Boniuk M. ed. Ocular and Adnexal Tumors. New and Controversial Aspects. St Louis, MO: C.V. Mosby; 1964: 389-394
    Google Scholar
  • 31 Reese AB. The temporal approach to orbital tumors. In: Troutman RC, Converse JM, Smith B. eds. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery of the Eye and Adnexa. Washington, DC: Butterworth; 1962: 77-80
    Google Scholar
  • 32 Love JG. Transcranial removal of intra-orbital tumors. In: Troutman RC, Converse JM, Smith B. eds. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery of the Eye and Adnexa. Washington, DC: Butterworth; 1962: 81-85
    Google Scholar
  • 33 Moss HM. Expanding lesions of the orbit. A clinical study of 230 consecutive cases. Am J Ophthalmol 1962; 54: 761-770
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 34 Rootman J. Diseases of the Orbit. A Multidisciplinary Approach. 2nd ed.. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2003
    Google Scholar
  • 35 Knapp A. The Krönlein operation as an exploratory procedure in affections of the orbit. JAMA 1912; LIX: 988-989
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 36 Wood CA. Some operations on the orbital walls and contents. In: Wood CA. ed. A System of Ophthalmic Operations. Chicago, IL: Cleveland Press; 1911: 813-860
    Google Scholar
  • 37 Taveras JL, Haik BG. Radiography of the eye and orbit: a historical overview. Surv Ophthalmol 1988; 32 (05) 361-368
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 38 Sweet WM. The roentgen rays in ophthalmic surgery. JAMA 1898; 30: 5-10
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 39 Comberg W. Ein neues Verfahren zur roentgenlokalization am Augapfel. Arch Ophthalmol 1927; 118: 175
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 40 Vogt A. Skelettfrie Rontgenaufnahme des vorderen Bulbusabschnittes. Schweiz Med Wochenschr 1921; 2: 145
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 41 Caldwell EW. Skiagraphy of the accessory sinuses of the nose. Am Q Roentgenol 1906; 1: 27-35
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 42 Waters CA, Waldron CW. Roentgenology of the accessory nasal sinuses. AJR Am J Roentgenol 1915; 2: 634-639
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 43 Cone AJ, Moore S, Dean LW. Relationship of paranasal sinus disease to ocular disorders. Laryngoscope 1939; 49: 374-393
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 44 Gasteiger H, Grauer S. Zur Diagnose der Doppelperforation des Augapfels mit hilfe von Lufteinblasung in den Tenonschen Raum. Fortschr Geb Rontgenstr Nuklearmed Erganzungsband. 1929; 40: 272-278
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 45 Offret G, Gilles E, Blanchot F. De l'intérêt des tomographies orbitaires avec injection d'air en ophtalmologie. Arch Ophtalmol Rev Gen Ophtalmol 1954; 14 (03) 259-273 , 79
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 46 Moniz E. L'encéphalographie artérielle, son importance dans la localisation des tumeurs cérébrales. Rev Neurol (Paris) 1927; 2: 72-90
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 47 Silva D. Exoftalmos postural. Arch Assoc Ceguera (Mex) 1947; 5: 109-127
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 48 Pfeiffer RL. Roentgenography of exophthalmos, with notes on the roentgen ray in ophthalmology. Am J Ophthalmol 1943; 26: 724-741 , 816, 33,901–11
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 49 Purnell EW. Ultrasonic interpretation of orbital disease. In: Gitter KA. ed. Ophthalmic Ultrasound. St. Louis, MO: CV Mosby; 1969: 249-255
    Google Scholar
  • 50 Coleman DJ. Reliability of ocular and orbital diagnosis with B-scan ultrasound. 2. Orbital diagnosis. Am J Ophthalmol 1972; 74 (04) 704-718
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 51 Dallow RL, Coleman DJ. Ultrasonic evaluation of orbital disorders. In: Jakobiec FA. ed. Ocular and Adnexal Tumors. Birmingham, England: Aesculapius Publishing; 1978: 311-339
    Google Scholar
  • 52 Ossoinig KC. Standardized echography: basic principles, clinical applications, and results. Int Ophthalmol Clin 1979; 19 (04) 127-210
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 53 Hounsfield GN. Computerized transverse axial scanning (tomography). 1. Description of system. Br J Radiol 1973; 46 (552) 1016-1022
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 54 Ambrose J. Computerized transverse axial scanning (tomography). 2. Clinical application. Br J Radiol 1973; 46 (552) 1023-1047
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 55 Gawler J, Sanders MD, Bull JWD, du Boulay G, Marshall J. Computer assisted tomography in orbital disease. Br J Ophthalmol 1974; 58 (06) 571-587
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 56 Wright JE. The role of surgery in the management of orbital tumours. Mod Probl Ophthalmol 1975; 14: 553-556
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 57 Alper MG, Davis DO, Pressman BD. Use of computerized axial tomography (EMI scanner) in diagnosis of exophthalmos. Trans Am Acad Ophthalmol Otolaryngol 1975; 79: 150-165
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 58 Wright JE, Lloyd GAS, Ambrose J. Computerized axial tomography in the detection of orbital space-occupying lesions. Am J Ophthalmol 1975; 80 (01) 78-84
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 59 Grove Jr. AS, New PFJ, Momose KJ. Computed tomographic (CT) scanning for orbital evaluation. Trans Am Acad Ophthalmol Otolaryngol 1975; 79: 137-149
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 60 Grove Jr AS. Evaluation of exophthalmos. N Engl J Med 1975; 292 (19) 1005-1013
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 61 Grove Jr AS. Coronal computed tomography (CCT) of the orbit. In: Jakobiec FA. ed. Ocular and Adnexal Tumors. Birmingham, England: Aesculapius Publishing; 1978: 271-280
    Google Scholar
  • 62 Trokel SL, Hilal SK. Computed tomography of orbital and ocular tumors. In: Jakobiec FA. d. Ocular and Adnexal Tumors. Birmingham, England: Aesculapius Publishing; 1978: 257-270
    Google Scholar
  • 63 Kennerdell JS, Slamovits TL, Dekker A, Johnson BL. Orbital fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Am J Ophthalmol 1985; 99 (05) 547-551
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 64 Kennerdell JS, Dubois PJ, Dekker A, Johnson BL. CT-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy of orbital optic nerve tumors. Ophthalmology 1980; 87 (06) 491-496
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 65 Kennerdell JS. Orbital diagnosis. In: Della Rocca RC, Nesi F, Lisman RD. eds. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Vol 2. St. Louis, MO: C.V. Mosby; 1987: 1008-1024
    Google Scholar
  • 66 Rootman J, Stewart B, Goldberg RA. Orbital Surgery. A Conceptual Approach. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott-Raven; 1995
    Google Scholar
  • 67 Kennedy DW, Goodstein ML, Miller NR, Zinreich SJ. Endoscopic transnasal orbital decompression. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1990; 116 (03) 275-282
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 68 Turbin RE, Thompson CR, Kennerdell JS, Cockerham KP, Kupersmith MJ. A long-term visual outcome comparison in patients with optic nerve sheath meningioma managed with observation, surgery, radiotherapy, or surgery and radiotherapy. Ophthalmology 2002; 109 (05) 890-899 , discussion 899–900
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 69 Hoyt WF, Baghdassarian SA. Optic glioma of childhood. Natural history and rationale for conservative management. Br J Ophthalmol 1969; 53 (12) 793-798
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 70 Imes RK, Hoyt WF. Childhood chiasmal gliomas: update on the fate of patients in the 1969 San Francisco Study. Br J Ophthalmol 1986; 70 (03) 179-182
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 71 Orcutt JC, Wulc AE, Mills RP, Smith CH. Asymptomatic orbital cavernous hemangiomas. Ophthalmology 1991; 98 (08) 1257-1260
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar