What is a lateral Canthotomy?

Lateral canthotomy, the emergency treatment for orbital compartment syndrome, is the surgical exposure of the lateral canthal tendon. Cantholysis is canthotomy plus incision of the inferior branch (crus) of the tendon.

When do you do a lateral Canthotomy?

Lateral canthotomy and cantholysis should be performed for ocular compartment syndrome (most commonly caused by retrobulbar hemorrhage) with acute loss of visual acuity, relative afferent pupillary defect, increased IOP, and proptosis.

What does Canthotomy mean in medical terms?

Definition. The incision or cutting through the canthus. Supplement. The procedure is often performed to release excessive orbital pressure, especially due to orbital hemorrhage or infection.

Who can perform a lateral Canthotomy?

Lateral Canthotomy and Cantholysis. The ability to perform a lateral canthotomy and cantholysis is an essential skill for every ophthalmologist and emergency room physician. It can be a vision-saving technique in the setting of decreased perfusion to the optic nerve or globe as a result of increased orbital pressure.

What is a Canthotomy procedure?

Lateral canthotomy and cantholysis is the treatment of choice and involves surgically exposing the lateral canthal tendon and its inferior crus to relieve intraorbital pressure.

What is the lateral canthus?

Lateral canthus: the lateral confluence of upper and lower eyelid margins. Sclera: the collagenous outer wall of the eyeball.

What is lateral canthus?

The lateral angle or corner of the eye where the upper and lower eyelids meet. Supplement. The eye has two canthi, the medial canthus and the lateral canthus. The lateral canthus is that angle or corner of the eye situated laterally or away from the midplane of the face.

What is lateral Canthotomy and Cantholysis?

Lateral canthotomy and cantholysis (LCC) is a simple pro- cedure used to decompress a compartment syndrome of the orbit. It is most often used in cases of blunt trauma, when bleeding into the retrobulbar space causes an increase in pressure resulting in ischemia to the retina and optic nerve.

Why is Canthotomy done?

Indications. Lateral canthotomy should be performed as acute management for orbital compartment syndrome, which presents with increased intraocular pressure (IOP) and impaired extraocular motility. Typically, this syndrome occurs within the context of recent orbital trauma or eye surgery.

Where is left lateral canthus?

Lateral canthus: the lateral confluence of upper and lower eyelid margins. Sclera: the collagenous outer wall of the eyeball. Its outermost portion, called the episclera, has a rich vascular network.

Where is outer canthus?

Canthus (pl. canthi, palpebral commissures) is either corner of the eye where the upper and lower eyelids meet. More specifically, the inner and outer canthi are, respectively, the medial and lateral ends/angles of the palpebral fissure.

Where is the lateral canthus?

What is the difference between lateral canthotomy and cantholysis?

What is lateral canthotomy for Orbital Compartment syndrome?

What does the lateral canthal tendon do in the eye?

Relevant Anatomy. The medial and lateral canthal ligaments contain the eye within the orbit and eyelids. The lateral canthal tendon has two branches: a superior and an inferior. Cutting one, or both, loosens the eyelids and allows the globe to expand out of the orbit and thus relieve pressure on the eye.

How do you cut the lateral canthal ligament?

Grasp the lower eyelid with forceps and retract it to reveal the lateral canthal tendon. (The tendon is just inferior and posterior to the lateral canthal fold.) Cut completely through the middle of the lateral canthal ligament with the iris scissors.