What is orbital compartment syndrome and why is it a medical emergency?

Orbital compartment syndrome (OCS) results from increased pressure behind the eye, most commonly caused by retrobulbar hematoma. As pressure rises, both the optic nerve and its vascular supply are compressed, rapidly leading to nerve damage and blindness if not quickly relieved. This condition requires immediate emergency treatment to prevent permanent vision loss.

How does the lateral canthal tendon anatomy relate to orbital compartment syndrome?

The lateral and medial canthal tendons hold the eyelids firmly in place, forming an anatomical compartment with limited space for the globe. The lateral canthal tendon splits into superior and inferior crura. In OCS, elevated retrobulbar pressure forces the globe anteriorly against these tendons, requiring their surgical release to decompress the eye.

What is a Marcus Gunn pupil and how is it detected?

A Marcus Gunn pupil, or relative afferent pupillary defect (RAFD), occurs when optic nerve damage prevents normal pupil constriction. It is detected using the Swinging Flashlight Test: light directed at the unaffected eye causes both pupils to constrict, but light directed at the affected eye causes neither pupil to constrict, indicating optic nerve involvement.

How is intraocular pressure measured to confirm orbital compartment syndrome?

Intraocular pressure is measured using a handheld tonometer after topical anesthesia with tetracaine or proparacaine. The tonometer tip is pressed lightly against the cornea until the device chirps and displays a reading. Several consecutive measurements greater than 40 mm Hg confirm OCS diagnosis.

What supplies and anesthetic technique are needed for lateral canthotomy and inferior cantholysis?

Essential supplies include sterile gauze, saline, 1% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine, a 25- or 27-gauge needle syringe, toothed forceps, a straight hemostat, and iris scissors. Local anesthetic is injected laterally 1.5-2 cm, then redirected 45 degrees inferiorly while injecting continuously to anesthetize both the lateral and inferior regions.

What are the key procedural steps for performing lateral canthotomy?

After anesthesia, a hemostat is placed over the lateral canthus with approximately 2 cm of tissue between prongs. The tissue is compressed for 1-2 minutes to minimize bleeding and create a cutting guide. Using iris scissors, cut through all layers along the compressed tissue from the lateral canthus to the orbital rim, severing the lateral canthal tendon.

When is inferior cantholysis performed and what complications should be monitored?

Inferior cantholysis is performed after lateral canthotomy by retracting the lower lid and cutting the inferior crus with iris scissors directed at 90 degrees. Intraocular pressure is remeasured; if still above 40 mm Hg, the superior crus is also released. Potential complications include bleeding, infection, tissue injury, and rare globe puncture, though these risks are minimal compared to untreated vision loss.

Lateral Canthotomy and Inferior Cantholysis

0 views08:56 min

1. Confirm need to perform emergent lateral canthotomy.

Confirm that an RAFD is present by performing the swinging flashlight test.
Swinging flashlight test:
1. The practitioner first observes both pupils
2. A light is then directed at the unaffected eye. When this occurs, both pupils (the unaffected and the affected) will constrict in response
3. The light is then directed toward the affected eye. Both pupils will dilate from their previous constriction (neither pupil will constrict).
4. The light is then redirected toward the unaffected eye, and constriction is again confirmed in both pupils.
Confirm elevated IOP by tonometry. IOP ~40mm Hg is a clear indication for lateral canthotomy
1. In the trauma patient, IOP must be measured with a hand-held tonometer. Do not perform this assessment if there is suspicion of a penetrating globe injury.
2. Most hand-held devices operate in a similar fashion. They are easy to use and work by pressing the tip of the device against the patient's cornea.
3. In the awake patient, topical anesthetic (tetracaine, proparacaine) should be used to help ensure patient compliance. Anesthetic will not alter the accuracy of IOP measurements.
4. The tip of the hand-held tonometer is then covered with a protective and disposable cover.
5. Hold the unit as a pencil. Brace the heel of your hand against the patient's cheek to maintain stability.
6. Approach the cornea perpendicularly, and touch the cornea lightly and briefly.
7. Successful measurement is confirmed with a "chirp," and the reading is displayed.
8. IOP should be measured several times consecutively to ensure accuracy.
Once the decision to go forward with surgical intervention is made, it is time to gather supplies.
Supplies needed: toothed forceps, straight hemostat, iris scissors, anesthetic (lidocaine 1% with epinephrine 1:100,000 is best, as the epinephrine will aid in constricting blood vessels and keep your surgical field clean), small-gauge needle (25 or 27 gauge), syringe, sterile saline, and gauze.

2. Anatomy

In order to successfully address an orbital compartment syndrome with surgical intervention, it is important to have a basic understanding of the eye anatomy-specifically, the extraocular anatomy.
The orbit is the bony, cone-shaped cavity in which the globe rests. It is approximately 4.5 cm deep and is composed of 7 fused bones. Foramina and fissures within this bony architecture allow nerves and blood vessels to supply the globe and its surrounding structures.
There are 6 extraocular muscles that control the movement of the eye within the orbit. These muscles tether the eye to the orbit, but there is a certain degree of laxity that would permit outward movement of the entire globe if other certain structures were compromised.
The eyelids (upper and lower) provide protection and nourishing lubrication to the cornea of the eye.
The upper and lower lid of the eye are held in position medially by the medial canthal tendon, and laterally by the lateral canthal tendon.
The lateral canthal tendon splits into an inferior and a superior portion (inferior crus and superior crus, respectively) as it moves from lateral to medial

3. Protocol

As with most truly emergent procedures, full sterile precautions are generally not observed. Care should be taken to perform the procedure "cleanly."
Quickly cleanse the lids and lateral canthus area with gauze soaked with sterile saline. Chlorhexidine should be avoided because of the risk of ocular exposure.
Draw up 2 mL of lidocaine 1% with epinephrine 1:100,000 in a syringe with a small needle (25 or 27 gauge) attached
Anesthetize the lateral canthus and overlying skin by injecting the anesthetic with the needle directed away from the globe of the eye.
The needle will enter the skin at the lateral canthus and just superficial to the epidermis. Inject anesthetic slowly, and advance the needle laterally (still in a superficial plane). As the needle advances, continue to inject anesthetic until the needle tip has advanced approximately 1.5-2 cm laterally.
Retract the needle back toward the point at which it entered the tissue (lateral canthus), and redirect the needle 45° inferiorly, still keeping the needle in a superficial plane.
Again advance the needle slowly while injecting more anesthetic. Advance the needle approximately 1.5-2 cm.
Slide the hemostat over the lateral canthus with one prong deep to the skin and superficial to the orbit and the other over the skin. The tissue is thin at this point, and there is only one plane that the hemostats will dissect as they are advanced.
Advance the hemostat so that approximately 2 cm of tissue is between the prongs.
Crush the skin within the hemostat's grasp. This tissue should remain compressed for 1-2 minutes. This helps to minimizing bleeding and leaves a blanched imprint on the tissue where it was crushed by the hemostat. This imprint is used as a guide for cutting in the next step.
Cut along the compressed tissue, through all layers, from the lateral canthus to the orbital rim.
This should sever the lateral canthal tendon. Verify this by pulling the upper lid away from the incision; if the tendon is not severed completely, it will be seen and can then be completely cut. The tendon has a shiny white appearance.
Pull the lower lid away with the forceps.
Identify the inferior crus of the lateral canthal tendon. It will be identified by its shiny white appearance and anatomical position. Cut with the scissors directed inferiorly (at a 90° angle to the first incision).
Check the IOP.
If the IOP remains elevated, then the superior crus may be released as well
If the superior crus is to be cut, this is completed in much the same manner as above. Use the toothed forceps to pull the upper lid away from the globe and superiorly.
Superior crus should be visible and identified. Use the Iris scissors to cut through superior crus and completely release the globe.