Right-sided complete blindness post-kyphoscoliosis correction surgery – A case report
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Background: Visual loss post spine surgery is a rare but serious complication that can occur after elective spine surgeries. Three pathological mechanisms usually cause it: raised intraocular pressure-mediated damage, central retinal artery occlusion, and cortical blindness. Case Description: A 13-year-old male developed permanent vision loss after undergoing prone spinal deformity correction surgery (i.e., D3 vertebra excision and overcorrection of the spinal curve) for spastic paraplegia. He developed a complete loss of vision in the right eye on postoperative day 2, which was later diagnosed as central retinal artery thrombosis. Although the authors padded both eyes when using a horseshoe headrest, they now acknowledge that such cases should routinely employ a 3-pin head holder to make sure that the eyes are entirely free. Conclusion: In this case, the long duration of surgery and intraoperative hypotension likely caused this catastrophic postoperative complication. In the future, an arterial line to avoid hypotension, prophylactically raising the head 20°, and use of the 3-pin head holder should be routinely employed to prevent/limit the risk of intraoperative retinal artery occlusion.
Source: Surgical Neurology International
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4415728262