Extended Orbital Exenteration: Proposal for Modification of Meyer and Zaoli’s Classification

Background: The orbital exenteration classification by Meyer and Zaoli has become popular in the literature as a means whereby clinicians present exenteration procedures. Although Meyer and Zaoli’s classification is adopted in our practice Objective: To propose a modification of Mayer and Zaoli’s classification to accommodate cases of orbital exenteration where one or both eyelids will be spared. Methods: A retrospective study of cases of maxillary tumours treated with maxillectomy and orbital exenteration over a 13 years period (January 2005- December 2017) in a Nigerian tertiary health facility. Results: They were 14 maxillectomies with orbital exenteration out of 91 maxillectomies carried out within the study period. There were more males (71.4%) than females (28.6%) and the age range was between 5 to 72 years (mean of 42.57 years, the median age was 45 years). Based on Meyer and Zaoli’s classification of orbital exenteration, 5 cases were classed as type IV, nine cases, however, could not be classified as they met all other requirements for classification as type IV except for the eyelid preservation which cannot be accounted for in Meyer and Zaoli’s classification Conclusion: Modification of Mayer and Zaoli’s classification to accommodate orbital exenteration cases where one or both eyelids were spared will make it more complete and exhaustive