Surgical Management of Orbital Lymphangioma with the Carbon Dioxide Laser

Lymphangiomas of the ocular adnexa, particularly orbital lymphangiomas, may prove to be difficult to manage. Standard surgical techniques can be difficult because of the hemorrhagic, cystic nature of the tumor. The tumor is not encapsulated and can freely interdigitate with normal tissue obliterating any potential surgical plane. The friability of the tumor makes perioperative and postoperative hemostasis oftentimes difficult. Subtotal removal with the carbon dioxide laser can be done with optimal hemostasis by vaporizing the tissue and sealing capillaries. We report our experience and results with six cases of orbital lymphangioma treated with the carbon dioxide laser.