title: Unilateral blindness as a complication of intraoperative positioning for cervical spinal surgery.
abstract: The authors report a case of unilateral blindness after surgical vertebral stabilization for C5-C6 subluxation. The blindness resulted from ischemia of the retina caused by prolonged compression of the eyeball on the surgical bed. This injury can be serious and irreversible, so it must be prevented by placing the patient in the proper position. The anesthetist must pay particular attention to avoid the consequences of possible intraoperative movement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Advanced Therapies, Section of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manfredini
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ferrante
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gildone
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Massari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001766:Blindness / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D016684:Prone Position / Q000502:physiology*; D012160:Retina / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015356:Retinal Artery Occlusion / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects*