The Journal of Emergency Medicine
Volume 22, Issue 3 , Pages 251-256, April 2002

Traumatic retrobulbar hemorrhage: emergent decompression by lateral canthotomy and cantholysis

  • Susi Vassallo, MD

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint Address: Susi Vassallo, MD, FACEP, FACMT, 545 First Avenue 10C, New York, NY 10016 USA
    • Department of Surgery/Division of Emergency Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, Bellevue Hospital Center, New York, New York, USA
    • ,
  • Morris Hartstein, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Ophthalmology, New York University School of Medicine, Bellevue Hospital Center, New York, New York, USA
    • ,
  • David Howard, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Ophthalmology and Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, Bellevue Hospital Center, New York, New York, USA
    • ,
  • Jessica Stetz, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Surgery/Division of Emergency Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, Bellevue Hospital Center, New York, New York, USA

Received 25 October 2001; received in revised form 2 July 2001; accepted 17 July 2001.

Abstract 

Traumatic retrobulbar hemorrhage may result in acute loss of vision that is reversible when recognized and treated promptly. A case of traumatic retrobulbar hemorrhage is presented. The technique of emergent orbital decompression by lateral canthotomy and cantholysis is described. The anatomy of the lateral canthus and the surgical procedure are illustrated by gross dissection.

Keywords:  retrobulbar hematoma, retrobulbar hemorrhage, eye trauma, orbital trauma, lateral canthotomy, lateral cantholysis, orbital decompression, orbital hemorrhage

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PII: S0736-4679(01)00477-2

The Journal of Emergency Medicine
Volume 22, Issue 3 , Pages 251-256, April 2002

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