Traumatic Orbital Compartment Syndrome: A Sight Threatening Emergency

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Trauma Surgery
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Orbital compartment syndrome (OCS) is a rare but critical complication of orbital trauma.
• Delayed diagnosis and treatment of OCS can result in irreversible vision loss.
• The 2015 Nepal earthquake presented a unique scenario for managing trauma-related OCS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the clinical features of orbital compartment syndrome.
• To outline the management strategies for OCS in a mass casualty setting.
• To highlight the importance of timely surgical intervention for OCS.

Main Methods:

• A case series approach was used.
• Patients presenting with orbital trauma to Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital post-earthquake were identified.
• Clinical diagnosis of OCS was made at the bedside.
• Emergency lateral canthotomy and inferior cantholysis were performed.

Main Results:

• Orbital compartment syndrome was identified as a presentation of orbital trauma.
• All diagnosed patients underwent emergency lateral canthotomy and inferior cantholysis.
• The management was performed in an emergency setting during a natural disaster.

Conclusions:

• Orbital compartment syndrome requires immediate recognition and surgical decompression.
• Lateral canthotomy and inferior cantholysis are effective emergency procedures for OCS.
• Effective management of OCS is vital to preserve vision following orbital trauma.