Analysis of anterior and posterior maneuvers to enhance intraconal exposure

Background: The medial and inferior recti encompass the ideal surgical corridor to approach the intraconal space endonasally. Here, we describe 3 different maneuvers to achieve greater access to orbital contents through an expanded endonasal approach (EEA). Methods: Four human cadaver heads were dissected bilaterally (n = 8). EEA to the medial intraconal orbit was executed. The following 3 maneuvers were performed: (1) anterior: extraocular muscles control (EOM); (2) posterior: annulus of Zinn (AZ) release; and (3) anterior/posterior combined. Measurements of the inferior and medial rectus corridor at the level of anterior ethmoidal artery (AEA) and posterior ethmoidal artery (PEA) and extent of optic nerve and medial rectus visualization was performed before and after each maneuver. Results: Medial rectus length (MRL) and optic nerve length (ONL) achieved were 1.72 ± 0.28 cm and 0.85 ± 0.2 cm, respectively. Mean caudal-rostral distances between the rectus muscles at the level of the AEA and PEA were 3.45 ± 0.7 mm and 1.30 ± 0.3 mm, respectively. After EOM control, mean caudal-rostral distances at the same level were as follows: AEA 4.90 ± 1.15 mm (p = 0.009) and PEA 1.70 ± 0.20 mm (p = 0.016). With AZ release, MRL was 2.20 ± 0.7 cm (p = 0.002) and ONL was 1.30 ± 0.2 cm (p = 0.003), with mean rostral-caudal distance at the level of AEA at 4.03 ± 0.8 mm (p = 0.16) and PEA at 1.71 ± 0.36 mm (p = 0.039). Mean caudal-rostral distances achieved with AZ release and EOM control were as follows: AEA 5.6 ± 1.2 mm (p = 0.001) and PEA 2.15 ± 0.4 mm (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Progressive access to the orbital contents is afforded with the 3 delineated maneuvers. The magnitude of access is optimized with the combined maneuver. The actual anterior/posterior location of the target will determine which maneuvers are required.