Simulation of the Exophthalmia Reduction Using a Finite Element Model of the Orbital Soft Tissues

This paper proposes a computer-assisted system for the surgical treatment of exophthalmia. This treatment is classically characterized by a decompression of the orbit, by the mean of an orbital walls osteotomy. The planning of this osteotomy consists in defining the size and the location of the decompression hole. A biomechanical model of the orbital soft tissues and its interactions with the walls are provided here, in order to help surgeons in the definition of the osteotomy planning. The model is defined by a generic Finite Element poro-elastic mesh of the orbit. This generic model is automatically adapted to the morphologies of four patients, extracted from TDM exams. Four different FE models are then generated and used to simulate osteotomies in the maxillary or ethmoid sinuses regions. Heterogeneous results are observed, with different backwards movements of the ocular globe according to the size and/or the location of the hole.