title: Lateral canthotomy and cantholysis: emergency management of orbital compartment syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Orbital compartment syndrome is a sight-threatening emergency. Vision may be preserved when timely intervention is performed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To present a case of orbital compartment syndrome caused by traumatic retrobulbar hemorrhage and the procedure of lateral canthotomy and cantholysis, reviewed with photographic illustration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lateral canthotomy and cantholysis are readily performed at the bedside with simple instruments. The procedure may prevent irreversible blindness in cases of acute orbital compartment syndrome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Emergency physicians should be familiar with lateral canthotomy and cantholysis in the management of orbital compartment syndrome to minimize the chance of irreversible visual loss.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Adam D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Rowh
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Jacob W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Ufberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California.
authors.forename: Theodore C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California.
authors.forename: Gary M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Vilke
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Harrigan
mesh_terms: D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications
keywords: cantholysis; canthotomy; lateral canthotomy; ocular trauma; orbital compartment syndrome; retrobulbar hemorrhage