Orbital lesions, an interdisciplinary pathology. The experience of the maxillo-facial surgeons.

[AIM] The main focus of this paper was to describe our experience in the management of primary lesions involving the orbit, analyzing signs and symptoms and illustrating surgical management.

[MATERIAL OF STUDY] We describe our experience managing 62 consecutive patients diagnosed with orbital tumors confined to the orbital content (not involving skin or bone, with no intracranial invasion) and treated between January 2013 and December 2016. Demographic characteristics, symptoms, clinical findings, histological types and approaches have been recorded.

[RESULTS] We found that the most common clinical manifestations were exophthalmos/proptosis and ocular movement impairment; the most common histological types were vascular malformation and ocular adnexal lymphomas.

[DISCUSSION] Primary neoplasms involving orbital contents include a broad spectrum of pathologies difficult to manage without a firm diagnosis, usually histological. Different surgical accesses are described in order to perform incisional biopsy or resection of the mass.

[CONSCLUSION] In every case, accurate surgical planning is mandatory, in order to prevent functional and/or aesthetic complications.

[KEY WORDS] Blepharoplasty incision, Intraorbital neoplasia, Lateral orbital tumor, Orbitotomy, Surgical treatment, Transconjunctival approach.