[Accidental injury of medial rectus muscle in endoscopic surgery of ethmoidal sinus: case report and survey of literature].

BACKGROUND

Ophthalmologic complications of endoscopic sinus surgery are rare, consequences may be serious.

PATIENTS: Two patients are presented who suffered lesions of the internal rectus muscles during endoscopic ethmoidectomy. The clinical picture of this rare complication resembles that of a paralysis of the medial rectus muscle.

THERAPY AND COURSE: In one patient the very thinned medial rectus muscle was tucked in a first surgical step. In the second step the external rectus muscle was recessed. Fusion in primary gaze was possible. In the second patient surgery was planned, he died however.

CONCLUSION

Because of the anatomy the medial rectus muscle is endangered in endoscopic ethmoidectomy. Considered to the frequency of this surgery the incidence however is rare.