Orbital surgery is a super specialty of ophthalmology. The orbital area of our eye is also known as the peri- ocular area and consists of various parts of eyes such as the eyelids, the socket, the lacrimal duct etc. Orbital surgery requires a lot of precision and very high level of skills. In India, there is dearth of specialist surgeons for the Orbital surgery and only some of top hospitals in cities like Delhi and Mumbai have such specialists. Mumbai has some of the best institutions which are renowned all over India for specialty care but only few of these institutions have the complete dedicated facilities that are required for carrying such a crucial surgery.
Orbital surgery for cancers of the eyelids:-
The cancers of the orbital area may be of many different forms. In most cases, orbital cancers manifest themselves in the orbital area but generally without any pain. If the orbital cancers are diagnosed in time, they can be treated completely by Orbital surgery and even the cosmetic results at the end are very favorable. Some symptoms of orbital cancer are very mild in the initial stages therefore it is very important to notice even a minor change in the physical appearance of the orbital area. Some symptoms of orbital cancer may be red spots on the eyelids, patch and scaly skin, skin ulceration, unusual pigmentation in the orbital area. If in an unfortunate scenario a cancer is suspected, a skin biopsy is done and thereafter the orbital surgeon will decide the best treatment method that probably would include Orbital surgery.
Once the Orbital surgery is performed the eye which is operated is kept covered for a few weeks. After the surgery, the patient is advised to keep the eyes shut by covering with bandages.
Surgery of the tear duct or the lacrimal sac:-
Orbital surgery also includes the surgery of the lacrimal duct or the tear gland which is extremely crucial for the health of the orbital area. Depending upon the exact cause and location of blockage of the duct, the orbital surgeon decides the treatment plan. Mild or partial blockages may be treated by inserting small stents of silicone which are removed later. If a complete blockage is present in the lacrimal duct, Orbital surgery of lacrimal duct which is known as DCR may have to be performed. This surgery involves construction of an opening on the inside of the duct which releases the blockage. This is not a very major surgery and a patients does not need more than 3- 4 stitches.
Cancers of the orbital area:-
The ocular area includes the eyeballs, the nerves, blood supplying vessels and the bone structure. Orbital tumors may emerge in to the socket from anywhere. However, some tumors become evident as they create pressure in the orbit and cause the eyes to protrude. They may also cause numbness in the orbital area. The location of the tumor will decide the surgical approach the orbital surgeon takes.
A simple Orbital surgery or orbitotomy may not be sufficient in case the orbital tumor has manifested itself in a complicated manner or is deeply set in the orbital region. For performing orbitotomy on such tumors, a combination of different approaches is used.
The four types of approaches that can be utilized for performing transorbital orbitotomies are:-
- Medial orbitotomy: – Tumors like cavernous hemangiomas, isolated neurofibromas etc. can be effectively managed by a medial orbitotomy. Medial tumors which are present in the ocular muscle cone can also be eliminated by a medial orbitotomy.
- Anterior orbitotomy: – This approach is used when the tumor is located in the anterior two thirds of the orbit. Depending upon the location of the tumor the surgeon will make the incision for performing anterior orbitotomy.
- Lateral orbitotomy: – This approach may be used for treatment of superolateral, lateral and inferolateral tumors by removing the lateral wall temporarily to access the orbit. It is also used for tumors which are located far posteriorly inside the orbit.
- Combination of medial and lateral orbitotomy: – Larger orbital tumors which are located posteriorly can be treated by a combination of medial and lateral orbitotomy. This approach is most commonly used for neurofibromas or hemangiomas which are deeply situated in medial orbital cavity.
Orbital surgery for orbital decompression:-
Orbital surgery is also commonly performed to relieve the pressure in the orbital area which is known orbital decompression. In this procedure, the orbital fat and walls are removed which makes more space for the eyeball. The protrusion of the eyeball or exophthalmos commonly happens due to Grave’s disease. Mild cases of the thyroid or the Grave’s disease can be cured by medication, however, if the disease worsens orbital decompression needs to be performed for saving the eyes. Not only the patient’s vision is at risk, the appearance of the patient also becomes a concern with exophthalmos. Orbital decompression surgery becomes unavoidable if in case the patient is suffering from vision loss or double vision.
How to choose an orbital surgeon:-
Many times Orbital surgery is followed by oculoplastic surgery because removal of orbital tumors, correction of orbital fractures or removal of eyelid tumors makes reconstructive surgery mandatory. Also, Orbital surgery should only be performed by the best surgeon who has the requisite skills. So, when looking for the best hospital always look for the best faculty which has the required credentials. It is possible that the top hospital of your choice may not have the best orbital surgeon. So you have to look for the best hospital which has a top of the line record for healthcare services. Orbital surgery is performed in many hospitals in India but sometimes hospitals do not have oculoplastic surgeons for follow up surgery.
Why Dr. Debraj Shome can be the best option for you?
Dr.Shome practices in Mumbai and he has his established a successful chain of clinics in all over Mumbai. Dr. Debraj is also a visiting surgeon in many hospitals in Mumbai and all over India as well because as stated earlier there are only a few oculoplastic surgeons in India. Mumbai has a lot of hospitals which perform Orbital surgery but a very few have the facility for post-op reconstructive surgery. Dr. Debraj Shome’s clinics in Mumbai provide the best facilities in both the pre- operative and post- operative scenario. Not all the top hospitals in India have the entire team of surgeons that are required. So, in case your city does not have required medical facilities you should consider getting treatment in a city like Mumbai where all the best facilities will be at your disposal.
Mumbai is the home to some of the best cancer hospitals in India along with a number of other super specialty hospitals. Mumbai is emerging to be a bright hub for advanced healthcare options in India and more and more people from smaller cities prefer going to cities like Mumbai where they can get the top surgeons and holistic treatment.
One should remember that even after the Orbital surgery mostly a follow up surgery for reconstruction is required. Dr. Debraj Shome is famous in India for all the complicated reconstruction cases he takes up at his clinics in Mumbai. He is often called in by various hospitals in Mumbai for performing complicated reconstructive surgeries that only he can perform in Mumbai. He has been felicitated by numerous bodies from all over India for his spectacular work as a surgeon providing new treatments to people all over in India. He has been awarded ‘best plastic surgeon in India’ and ‘best facial plastic surgeon in India’ several times in a row. Government of India has recognized his achievements many times and he is definitely one of the youngest doctors in India to have achieved so much. If you want top quality surgery and treatment, consult Dr. Shome in Mumbai.