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Lateral canthotomy and cantholysis: a simple, vision-saving procedure

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 May 2015

Gord McInnes  and
Daniel W. Howes
Gord McInnes*
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ont Division of Critical Care, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ont
Daniel W. Howes
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ont Division of Critical Care, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ont Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, Ont
*
Department of Emergency Medicine, Kingston General Hospital, 76 Stuart St., Kingston ON K7L 2V7; gordmcinnes@home.com

Abstract

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Lateral canthotomy and cantholysis is a simple procedure that can be performed by emergency physicians. It has the potential to save vision, particularly in cases of blunt ocular trauma. The case of a 37-year-old man with blunt ocular trauma, a retrobulbar hemorrhage and rapidly increasing orbital pressure requiring an urgent lateral canthotomy and cantholysis is presented. Pathophysiology, indications, contraindications, procedure and follow-up care are described.

Keywords

lateral canthotomy and cantholysisocular traumaretrobulbar hematoma
Type
Procedures in Em • Actes ThéRapeutiques en MU
Information
Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine , Volume 4 , Issue 1 , January 2002 , pp. 49 - 52
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians 2002

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