Abstract

ASO, J. et al. Blindness afer limbar diskectomy: Clinical and medico-legal aspects. Case report and literature review. Cuad. med. forense [online]. 2009, n.58, pp.293-302. ISSN 1988-611X.

Between the complications of lumbar disc surgery, one with small frequency but very incapacitating consequences is blindness. We communicate a case of transitory cortical blindness after L5-S1 conventional microdiskectomy. Possible causes described by literature are discussed, proposing the air embolism as a probable origin of cortical blindness in this case. Considering that perioperative blindness it is a complication with difficult diagnosis, but potential preventive measures and treatment can be adopted, medico-legal problems are also analyzed, mainly in negligence expert assessment and informed consent.

Keywords : Disc surgery; surgical complications; Cortical blindness; malpractice; informed consent; air embolism; Ischemic optic neuropathy.

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