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Blindness due to electrocoagulation following functional endoscopic sinus surgery

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

D. Vanden Abeele ,
A. Clemens ,
M. J. Tassignon  and
P. H. van de Heyning
D. Vanden Abeele*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Antwerp/Edegem, Belgium.
A. Clemens
Affiliation:
Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Antwerp/Edegem, Belgium.
M. J. Tassignon
Affiliation:
Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Antwerp/Edegem, Belgium.
P. H. van de Heyning
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Antwerp/Edegem, Belgium.
*
Address for correspondence: D. Vanden Abeele, Universitair ziekenhuis Antwerpen, Wilrijkstraat 10, B-2650 Edegem, Belgium. Fax: 03-825 05 36
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Abstract

A case is presented with irreversible blindness in one eye and restriction of the infratemporal visual field in the other eye, due to electrocoagulation performed for delayed bleeding after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Although blindness due to rhinosurgery is a well-known, but rare complication, a review of the recent literature did not reveal a similar incident. The use of electrocoagulation especially under conditions of poor visualization, that may be the case in post-operative bleeding following (endoscopic) sinus surgery, is strongly discouraged.

Keywords

Paranasal sinuses, surgeryEndoscopyElectrocoagulation, complicationBlindness
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 110 , Issue 3 , March 1996 , pp. 261 - 264
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1996

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