Orbital complications in functional endoscopic sinus surgery

Abstract

Orbital injuries are the common complications in functional endoscopic sinus surgery. The medical records and sinus CT scans of 412 patients who under went 803 ethmoid sinus operations between Janurary 1991 and September 1995 were reviewed. There were 4 periorbital ecchymoses post-operatively. We were consulted with one case of retrobulbar hematoma from other hospital where he received functional endoscopic sinus surgery. After analysis of these 5 cases, we found this complication occurred most commonly during uncinectomy. Some modifications in uncinectomy were made and proved effective to avoid violating the lamina papyracea. Detailed history taking and sinus CT evalution before operation, careful manipulations during operation, and close observation and immediate management after post-operation are helpful to reduce the orbital complication.