Purpose To evaluate the role of a closed-suction drain in orbital mass excision following anterior orbitotomy. Methods This is a prospective, randomized comparative study of consecutive patients undergoing anterior orbitotomy and mass excision enrolled into two groups: group A (with drain) and group B (without drain). Clinical data included visual acuity assessment, proptosis measured by exophthalmometry, pain score assessment, eyelid swelling, and ocular motility. Postoperative data were compared for one to five days and at 14 and 30-day follow-ups in the two groups to evaluate the efficacy of closed-suction drain in orbital mass excision. Results Twenty-five patients planned for anterior orbitotomy were divided into two groups: group A (drain, n = 12) and group B (without drain, n = 13). The subsidence of proptosis (p = 0.041), eyelid swelling (p = 0.04), and restoration of ocular motility (p = 0.04) were faster in the drain group as compared to the non-drain group, which was observed as statistically significant. The outcomes at 30 days were comparable in both groups and none of the patients developed any long-term complications. Conclusion The use of orbital drains aids early postoperative recovery with faster subsidence of proptosis and eyelid edema, and rapid recovery of ocular movements but does not affect the final outcome. Orbital surgeons can individualize the use of closed-suction drains after anterior orbitotomy in cases with expected postoperative edema.
Keywords: anterior orbitotomy; closed suction; orbital drain; post-operative oedema; proptosis.
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