Lasting quality of life improvements seen after orbital decompression in patients with TED
Patients with graves ophthalmopathy who underwent orbital decompressive surgery experience long-term improvements in overall quality of life, according to a study.
A total of 30 patients with moderate-severe graves ophthalmopathy who underwent orbital decompression surgery were retrospectively included in this study. Overall, 26 patients underwent bilateral surgery and 4 patients underwent unilateral surgery, for a total of 56 obits operated on. The majority of patients (64.3%) underwent combined bone and fat decompression surgery.
The average value of exophthalmometry before and after surgery was 24.96 (±2.68) mm and 21.8 (±2.34) mm, respectively, with an average reduction of 3.20 (±2.35) mm.
In a quality-of-life survey administered prior to surgery, the average values for visual function and appearance were of 43.3 and 44.03, respectively. After surgery, there was a mean visual function score of 76.73 and an appearance score of 73.71 (±21.89).
The authors concluded, “Orbital decompressive surgery is not only effective on GO, but also on a long-term improvement in overall well-being, self-confidence and [quality of life].”
Reference
Luisa V, Riccardo T, Stefano P, et al. Effectiveness of orbital decompression for endocrine orbitopathy and impact on quality of life: A retrospective study. J Craniomaxillofac Surg. 2021;S1010-5182(21)00100-1. doi: 10.1016/j.jcms.2021.03.001. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34218976.
