POSTEROLATERAL MICROSURGICAL APPROACH TO ORBITAL TUMORS

A modification of the lateral orbitotomy is reported for the microsurg ical approach to tumors located in the posterior intraconal space. The orbital apex is entered through a small bone opening on the orbital a nd temporal portions of the greater wing of the sphenoid, with the les ser sphenoidal wing, the orbital plate of the frontal bone, and the la teral orbital rim being left intact. This surgical technique was emplo yed in 8 cases of pure apical tumors, out of a consecutive series of 1 03 orbital growths. It proved to be reliable with regard to either ade quate exposure and radical excision of the lesions or low rate of oper ative morbility.