Traumatic retrobulbar hemorrhage: emergent decompression by lateral canthotomy and cantholysis

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

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

† Department of Ophthalmology, New York University School of Medicine, Bellevue Hospital Center, New York, New York, USA

‡ Department of Ophthalmology and Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, Bellevue Hospital Center, New York, New York, USA

Reprint Address: Susi Vassallo, MD, FACEP, FACMT, 545 First Avenue 10C, New York, NY 10016 USA

PII: S0736-4679(01)00477-2

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