Newer Nuances in Orbital Surgery

Abstract

Purpose: This article comprehensively compiles the latest technological and surgical advances in the realm of orbital surgery and their application in the pre-operative, intraoperative and post-operative periods. Methods: A detailed literature research supplemented by a manual search for the functions of image guidance, three-dimensional printing using computer-assisted manufacturing and ultrasonic surgical aspirator in orbital surgery was conducted and the pearls and pitfalls of the aforementioned tools have been enlisted and elaborated. Results: Navigation guided orbital surgery has grown to play a pivotal role in various orbital surgeries such as orbital decompression for thyroid eye disease, post-traumatic orbital fracture repair, and reconstruction, orbital tumor resection, optic canal decompression for traumatic optic neuropathy, extraction of orbital foreign body and endoscopic and lacrimal procedures, by offering enhanced surgical precision. Three-dimensional printing smoothens the potholed road to structural and functional orbital restoration post trauma or surgery. Ultrasonic aspirator is a handy addition, which sophisticates bone and soft tissue removal during decompression or tumor debulking and minimizes the drawbacks of its predecessor technologies. Conclusion: The role of image guidance, three-dimensional printing and ultrasonic surgical aspirator in orbital surgeries still bears the scope for further investigation and holds the future of digitally advanced surgical operation within the orbit at its helm.