Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate the effect of lateral canthotomy and cantholysis on orbital and intraocular pressure in an experimental model for orbital hemorrhage.
Methods: :
Retrobulbar hemorrhage was simulated by injecting 22 cc of blood into the retrobulbar (intra–conal) space of 4 orbits of 2 non–preserved cadavers. Orbital, recorded with an intra–conal transducer designed for monitoring interstitial pressure, and intraocular pressure, measured with Tonopen TM, were documented before and after canthotomy and cantholysis. One–sided T–test was used to compare measurements before and after canthotomy and cantholysis.
Results: :
Mean (+ standard deviation) orbital pressure before and after canthotomy and cantholysis (52 + 16 and 21 + 7 mmHg, respectively) was significantly different (p=0.005). Intaocular pressure before and after canthotomy and cantholysis (68 + 7 and 40 + 13 mmHg, respectively) was significantly different (p=0.004). This gives percent reductions of 60% and 41% for orbital and intraocular pressures, respectively.
Conclusions: :
Lateral canthotomy and cantholysis achieved a significant reduction in orbital pressure (60% decrease), which was paralleled by intraocular pressure (41% decrease).
Keywords: orbit • trauma • eyelid