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World J Orthop. Apr 18, 2014; 5(2): 100-106
Published online Apr 18, 2014. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v5.i2.100
Perioperative visual loss after spine surgery
Travis J Nickels, Mariel R Manlapaz, Ehab Farag
Travis J Nickels, Mariel R Manlapaz, Ehab Farag, Department of General Anesthesia, Anesthesiology Institute, Cleveland Clinc, Cleveland, OH 44195, United States
Author contributions: Nickels TJ, Manlapaz MR and Farag E performed research, analyzed the data, and wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Ehab Farag, MD, Department of General Anesthesia, Anesthesiology Institute, Cleveland Clinc, 9500 Euclid Avenue; E-30, Cleveland, OH 44195, United States. farage@ccf.org
Telephone: +1-216-4447550 Fax: +1-216-4449247
Received: December 17, 2013
Revised: February 25, 2014
Accepted: March 13, 2014
Published online: April 18, 2014
Processing time: 142 Days and 7.1 Hours
Abstract

Perioperative visual loss (POVL) is an uncommon, but devastating complication that remains primarily associated with spine and cardiac surgery. The incidence and mechanisms of visual loss after surgery remain difficult to determine. According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists Postoperative Visual Loss Registry, the most common causes of POVL in spine procedures are the two different forms of ischemic optic neuropathy: anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and posterior ischemic optic neuropathy, accounting for 89% of the cases. Retinal ischemia, cortical blindness, and posterior reversible encephalopathy are also observed, but in a small minority of cases. A recent multicenter case control study has identified risk factors associated with ischemic optic neuropathy for patients undergoing prone spinal fusion surgery. These include obesity, male sex, Wilson frame use, longer anesthetic duration, greater estimated blood loss, and decreased percent colloid administration. These risk factors are thought to contribute to the elevation of venous pressure and interstitial edema, resulting in damage to the optic nerve by compression of the vessels that feed the optic nerve, venous infarction or direct mechanical compression. This review will expand on these findings as well as the recently updated American Society of Anesthesiologists practice advisory on POVL. There are no effective treatment options for POVL and the diagnosis is often irreversible, so efforts must focus on prevention and risk factor modification. The role of crystalloids versus colloids and the use of α-2 agonists to decrease intraocular pressure during prone spine surgery will also be discussed as a potential preventative strategy.

Keywords: Perioperative visual loss; Ischemic optic neuropathy; Central retinal artery occlusion; Cortical blindness; Posterior reversible encephalopathy; Spine surgery; Prone positioning

Core tip: Perioperative visual loss (POVL) is an uncommon, but devastating complication that remains primarily associated with spine and cardiac surgery. The incidence and mechanisms of visual loss after surgery remain difficult to determine. Ischemic optic neuropathy accounts for the vast majority of these cases, with retinal ischemia, cortical blindness, and posterior reversible encephalopathy observed with low incidence. Recently identified risk factors include obesity, male sex, Wilson frame use, longer anesthetic duration, greater estimated blood loss, and decreased percent colloid administration. POVL is often permanent and untreatable, so prevention is key to limiting its impact.