Does enucleation in the presence of endophthalmitis increase the risk of postoperative meningitis?
The risk of meningitis after enucleation for endophthalmitis has been cited by several authors as a relative contraindication to this procedure. In order to test this theory, we have conducted a review of 165 enucleation and 54 evisceration specimens with a diagnosis of endophthalmitis received from January 1950 through December 1985. This study showed no cases of post-operative central nervous system (CNS) infection. Most patients for whom endophthalmitis was initially suspected received intensive antibiotic therapy. Although cases of post-enucleation meningitis have been reported in the pre-antibiotic era, the authors conclude that the intensive chemotherapeutic treatment of endophthalmitis today has virtually eliminated the risk of post-enucleation CNS infection.
D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D008297:Male; D008581:Meningitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011292:Premedication; D012306:Risk
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents