Late periorbital haemorrhage following functional endoscopic sinus surgery: a caution for potential day case surgery.
BACKGROUND
Orbital complications following functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) are fortunately rare. They are usually easily and rapidly recognizable.


METHODS
We present an unusual case of a forty-five year old woman who underwent routine FESS and was not packed nasally after the procedure. Six hours later she started bleeding and nasal packs were inserted. She soon developed unilateral periorbital bruising and within hours her condition had worsened so much that the viability of the eye was thrown into question. She underwent medial and lateral canthotomies and made an uneventful post-operative recovery.


CONCLUSIONS
This rare case demonstrates that late, brisk post-operative bleeding can occur after FESS with potentially catastrophic consequences. Clinicians should be aware that discharging patients after FESS too early may lead to medico-legal problems.
Arya
Arvind Kumar
AK
Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool. arvind7@tesco.net
Machin
David
D
Al-Jassim
Hadi
H