Related Experiment Videos
[Blindness due to electrocoagulation following functional endoscopic sinus surgery]
D Vanden Abeele1, A Clemens, M J Tassignon
1Dienst Neus-, Keel-, Oor-, Hals- en Gelaatsheelkunde, Edegem-Antwerpen.
Acta Oto-Rhino-Laryngologica Belgica
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) can lead to vision loss. Electrocoagulation during FESS, especially with poor visibility, is strongly discouraged due to severe visual complications.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Otolaryngology
- Surgical Complications
Background:
- Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is a common procedure for sinonasal diseases.
- Postoperative bleeding is a potential complication following FESS.
- Visual impairment is a rare but recognized risk associated with rhinosurgery.
Observation:
- A case of irreversible blindness in one eye and visual field restriction in the other is presented.
- The visual deficits occurred secondary to electrocoagulation used to manage delayed bleeding post-FESS.
- This specific complication, electrocoagulation-induced vision loss after FESS, was not found in recent literature review.
Findings:
- Electrocoagulation, particularly under conditions of poor visualization, poses a significant risk of ocular damage.
- Delayed postoperative bleeding following FESS can necessitate interventions that carry substantial risks.
- The presented case highlights a severe, potentially preventable visual outcome.
Implications:
- Clinicians should exercise extreme caution when considering electrocoagulation for bleeding during FESS.
- Minimizing the use of electrocoagulation in challenging intraoperative scenarios is crucial.
- Enhanced surgical techniques and alternative hemostatic methods should be explored to mitigate visual risks in FESS.