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Vision Loss Following Vertebral Artery Injury during Surgery for Atlantoaxial Instability
Atul Goel1, Sagar Bhambere2, Abhidha Shah2
1Department of Neurosurgery, K.E.M. Hospital and Seth G.S. Medical College, Parel; Department of Neurosurgery , Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Bandra (E), Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Background:
A number of complications following surgery aimed at atlantoaxial fixation have been reported. However, there is no report in the literature describing visual loss following vertebral artery injury.
Objective:
Vision loss as a complication of vertebral artery injury during surgery for atlantoaxial fixation is reported.
Material And Methods:
This is a report of two patients who were operated for atlantoaxial instability by the Goel technique of atlantoaxial fixation. During surgery, there was an injury to the vertebral artery and the artery had to be sacrificed.
Results:
Both patients suffered severe visual loss following surgery. One patient had a partial visual recovery that started within few days of surgery while the other patient remained completely blind.
Conclusions:
Although rare, visual loss can be a complication of vertebral artery sacrifice during surgery for atlantoaxial stabilization.
