Abstract
Purpose :
The investigation of human anatomy through cadaveric dissection is a crucial aspect of medical education and provides a basis for envisioning innovative surgical interventions. While the superior approach is commonly employed for teaching orbital anatomy, this study investigates an alternative, novel extended lateral approach that may offer a comprehensive view of the orbital contents. We hypothesized that the extended lateral orbital approach can enhance the teaching and comprehension of human orbital anatomy.
Methods :
This study utilized seven human cadaveric specimens. The technique involved the removal of the zygomatic bone and reflection of the temporalis muscles, followed by partial resection of the zygomatic bone and greater wing of the sphenoid, allowing for complete lateral exposure of the orbit. A fine dissection was carried out under stereomicroscopy to isolate the neurovascular structures of the orbit. To evaluate the educational impact of the novel extended lateral approach compared to the conventional superior orbital dissection, a cross-over study design was employed. Seven healthcare profession students participated in a workshop where orbital anatomy was explored using both extended lateral exposure and traditional superior approach. Each participant completed anonymous surveys before and after reviewing the anatomy using each exposure technique.
Results :
The extended lateral approach offered an excellent window for dissection and observation of orbital contents, extending as far as the orbital apex and annulus of Zinn (see Fig. 1). It allowed for exposure of structures such as ciliary branches of the ophthalmic artery, nasociliary nerve, ciliary ganglion, and branches of cranial nerves III and VI, with remarkable clarity in terms of anatomical relationships. All participants reported that the extended lateral exposure significantly improved their understanding of orbital anatomy compared to the superior approach.
Conclusions :
The novel extended lateral orbital approach demonstrated enhanced visualization of orbital structures when compared to the traditional superior orbital approach. It provided a better context for comprehending the relationships among neurovascular structures within the orbit. The utilization of the extended lateral approach may enrich the teaching of human orbital anatomy.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.