Blindness and basal ganglia hypoxia as a complication of Le Fort I osteotomy attributable to hypoplasia of the internal carotid artery: a case report

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2007 Jul;104(1):e27-33. doi: 10.1016/j.tripleo.2007.01.016. Epub 2007 May 11.

Abstract

Le Fort I osteotomy is used as a surgical procedure for correction of maxillofacial deformities. The common complications of this procedure are hemorrhage and infection, with incidence of 6% to 9%. Blindness associated with Le Fort I osteotomy was reported in 8 patients. An 18-year-old female complained of loss of sight in the left eye after recovery from hypotensive general anesthesia. The visual field of the left eye was dark and only perceived some movement. She presented with motor dysfunction and regressive behavior 2 weeks later as a result of hypoxia of bilateral basal ganglia. Two months later, her visual acuity recovered gradually and regressive behavior improved. Carotid angiography showed congenital hypoplasia of the left internal carotid artery. We suspected that hypoplasia could cause hypoxia of the central nervous system.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anesthesia / adverse effects
  • Basal Ganglia Cerebrovascular Disease / etiology*
  • Blindness / etiology*
  • Carotid Artery, Internal / abnormalities*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia / etiology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Maxilla / surgery*
  • Osteotomy, Le Fort / adverse effects*
  • Time Factors