Orbital Exenteration for Primary Tumors or Secondary to Extension Among Hospital Patients: A Retrospective Case Study

To describe the indications for orbital exenteration in our hospital, complications, and survival outcomes.

A retrospective study of 117 patients who underwent orbital exenteration for primary tumors or tumors extending into the orbit. The study included cases from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2022.

We included 96 patients who underwent orbital exenteration. Surgery was performed for primary orbital tumors in 60 patients. The primary sites of origin were the eyelids and conjunctiva, 27.1% and 28.1%, respectively. Adjuvant therapy was administered to 51 patients. The most common histologic type was squamous cell carcinoma (40.6%), followed by basal cell carcinoma (18.8%). Positive surgical margins were found in 41 patients. Recurrence occurred in 22 patients. Surgical margins and bone invasion were considered prognostic factors.

Advanced tumors with bone invasion have a worse prognosis. Therefore, achieving negative margins is less likely. These patients experience a recurrence rate of 50%.