Transient cortical visual impairment after video-assisted thoracic surgery: a case report

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Thoracic Surgery
• Neurology

Background:

• Visual loss is a rare complication of thoracic surgery, typically associated with procedures like coronary artery bypass grafting.
• Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is generally considered low-risk for visual complications due to patient positioning.
• No prior reports exist of visual loss following VATS procedures.

Observation:

• A 40-year-old male patient experienced sudden visual loss post-VATS.
• Neurological examination revealed normal pupillary reflexes and optic disc appearance.
• The patient presented with homonymous hemianopia respecting the vertical meridian, indicative of cortical visual impairment.

Findings:

• The patient's visual impairment was transient and resolved spontaneously.
• The absence of cardiovascular risk factors in this patient is noteworthy.
• The visual deficit was characteristic of cortical blindness.

Implications:

• Transient cortical visual impairment is a potential, albeit rare, complication of uneventful VATS.
• This case expands the understanding of potential neurological complications following thoracic surgery.
• Further investigation may be warranted to elucidate the exact mechanism of visual loss in such cases.