Delayed Ocular Motility Restriction After Endoscopic Sinus Surgery in a Patient With Chronic Rhinosinusitis and an Old Medial Orbital Wall Fracture.

The orbital complications of endoscopic sinus surgery, including diplopia and ocular motility restriction, are mainly caused by direct injury to the orbital structures. These complications are rare, but can have catastrophic consequences. Symptoms occur immediately after surgery in most cases. The authors encountered an unusual case of delayed ocular motility restriction after endoscopic sinus surgery in a patient with old medial wall fracture, without direct orbital injury during the procedure. A 77-year-old man with an old medial wall fracture of the right orbit underwent endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic pansinusitis. He complained mild diplopia on right lateral gaze after 2 weeks, which gradually worsened. After 2 months, he exhibited severe lateral gaze movement impairment in the right eye and finally underwent surgical exploration. His symptoms improved after adhesiolysis of the overgrown ethmoid sinus mucosa and periorbital tissue. The authors reported this unusual case and discussed the possible mechanism underlying ocular motility restriction.