Medial and lateral wall decompression for thyroid ophthalmopathy.

A two-wall decompression of the orbit, consisting of removal of the medial and lateral walls, was successful in eight patients with thyroid ophthalmopathy. The lateral wall was by removed by using the standard orbitotomy technique in addition to enlarging the space with a pneumatic burr, and the medial wall was removed through a direct medial canthal incision. Two patients had optic neuropathy, one had intermittent subluxation of the globe, and five had symptoms of exposure or increased pressure in the orbital area. In our eight patients, the two with optic neuropathy improved, the patient with subluxation of the globe became asymptomatic, and the other five had less exposure and were more comfortable. The amount of decompression ranged between 4 and 7 mm. The lacrimal sac was injured in one patient; temporary silicone intubation avoided any permanent sequela.