Ophthalmic complications after surgery for nasal and sinus polyposis.

PURPOSE: To describe ophthalmic complications after nasal and sinus surgery.

METHODS

Four cases with orbital complications were retrospectively selected from among more than 2000 cases of orbital pathologies.

RESULTS

Motility disturbances due to extraocular muscle injury occurred in two patients after intranasal ethmoidectomy and in one patient after a Caldwell-Luc procedure. In the fourth case an orbital apex syndrome was noted after intranasal ethmoidectomies.

CONCLUSIONS

Ophthalmic complications may occur after nasal and sinus surgery, even using an endoscopic procedure. Successful handling of these complications could be reached by on their early recognition and treatment.