Vision-Saving Intervention: Emergency Lateral Canthotomy and Cantholysis in a Pediatric Patient with Orbital Compartment Syndrome: A case report

Abstract

Lateral canthotomy is an emergency procedure done to relieve orbital compartment syndrome (OCS), typically when intraocular pressure (IOP) rises above 40 mmHg. OCS is an ophthalmic emergency usually caused by increased pressure in the orbit, often due to retro-orbital bleeding or hematoma. We present the case of a 5-year-old child who developed orbital compartment syndrome following a road traffic accident. The patient underwent lateral canthotomy and cantholysis in the emergency depart-ment. Through this report, we aim to advocate for emergency physicians to perform this procedure in the ED setting to avoid delays associated with waiting for an oph-thalmologist.