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Unfallchirurg. 2006 Aug;109(8):687-92. [Sudden blindness following operative care of a multiply traumatized patient: posterior ischemic optic neuropathy]. [Article in German] Schmoz S1, Wawro W, Weng S, Stuttmann R, Hofmann GO. Klinik für Unfall- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Berufsgenossenschaftliche Kliniken Bergmannstrost, Merseburger Strasse 165, 06112 Halle. susanne.schmoz@bergmannstrost.com

A 32-year-old man had fallen from an 8-m high scaffolding and had suffered multiple traumatic injuries, such as compression fractures of the thoracic vertebrae (TV) 5-7 without incarceration of the spinal canal plus a distal femoral fracture. During surgery on the day of the accident, spondylodesis and dorsal stabilization of TV 4-7 using an internal fixator were carried out and the distal femoral fracture was stabilized with a dynamic condylar screw (DCS). On the day following the accident, the malposition of a pedicle screw located at the height of TV 4 and the borderline malposition of a pedicle screw of TV 7 were corrected. Between the day of the accident and day 8 after, the patient developed impaired vision and in the further course amaurosis associated with fixed pupils. No organopathy could be noticed which could have explained the sudden vision loss. A study of the literature was done, using the keywords "blindness" and "spine surgery." Only very few cases describing a connection of spine surgery and postoperative vision loss could be found. This article aims to elaborate on the few connections worked out in these investigations.

PMID: 16874480