title: Unilateral postoperative visual loss in a patient undergoing hip arthroscopy in the supine position: a case report.
abstract: Micro-emboli have been reported to occur commonly during arthroscopic surgery, which is frequently performed as an orthopedic surgical procedure. We here report a patient who experienced unilateral postoperative visual loss after a hip arthroscopy using irrigation fluid in the supine position without any evidence of external compression to either eye throughout the surgical procedure. Retinal fundoscopy suggested that the patient had central retinal artery occlusion, one of the causes of the postoperative visual loss. This case suggests that arthroscopic surgery may pose a substantial risk for paradoxical air embolism, such as central retinal artery occlusion, and suggests the need to prevent the entry of micro-air bubbles during such a type of surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Joohyun
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6224-1788
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji-Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Won-Uk
authors.initials: WU
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Jin
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Ro
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hong-Seuk
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Yang
keywords: Air embolism; Arthroscopy; Postoperative period; Retinal artery occlusion; Visual loss