Abstract:

We report a case of central retinal artery occlusion after anterior-posterior fusion of the lumbar spine. The patient suddenly lost his vision of the right eye in the ICU just after the end of long procedure for anterior-posterior fusion of the lumbar spine. The patient was diagnosed as having central retinal artery occlusion, and treated successfully with treatments including immediate administration of urokinase and PGE1, stellate ganglion block, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The patient was discharged from the hospital on the 54th postoperative day with adequate vision to drive a car. Central retinal artery occlusion is a rare but very serious complication during and after supine surgery with prone position. It is very important for us to be aware of its possible occurrence. We have to diagnose and treat, as soon as possible, the vision loss after the spine surgery.

Takeuchi, Morita, Nakatsuka, Taga, Fujii, Yokoyama, Hirakawa (2001). [A case of central retinal artery occlusion after anterior posterior fusion of the lumbar spine]. Masui. The Japanese journal of anesthesiology, 2001 Aug;50(8):899-901. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11554026