ABSTRACT

In this study we aimed to review retrospectively treatment results and clinical and demographic properties of our patients who underwent orbital exenteration. Thirteen patients treated with orbital exenteration at our clinic between 1992 and 2005 were included in the study. Six patients were female, and 7 patients were male. Age of the patients ranged between 4 to 83 years with a mean of 61.2 years. Five patients had squamous cell carcinoma, four had basal cell carcinoma, one had adenocyctic carcinoma of lacrimal gland, one had malign melanoma, and one had retinoblastoma. One patient was performed orbital exenteration due to severe ocular trauma with severe tissue loss. In four patients, partial orbital wall resection was performed together with orbital exenteration. Patients were followed-up with a period of 5 months to thirteen years. The patient with malignant melanoma and one of the patients with squamous cell carcinoma expired due to systemic metastasis. Location and extent of the tumor and its biological behavior should be considered in surgical procedure, which will be performed in the treatment of orbital lesions. Although orbital exenteration can be prevented by correct and early diagnosis, it could be the last and only option among treatment alternatives of some patients with delayed diagnosis.