Microsurgical Transethmoidal Optic Nerve Decompression: Experience in 700 Cases

Abstract

Injury of the optic nerve is a complication most frequently seen in blunt head trauma, especially that caused by traffic accidents. In the past 18 years, an optic nerve injury was diagnosed in 750 cases with impaired vision after blunt head trauma. To improve the visual function in these patients, surgical decompression of the optic nerve may be indicated. In previous papers the results in 600 cases of such surgery done by the transethmoidal route were reported (Fukado, 1975, 1978). Since then, an improved surgical technique has been used under an operating microscope and the number of cases operated upon has reached 700, so that a more complete survey of the results and the method of surgery can be made. This paper will deal with the details of this surgical technique and the postoperative results of these 700 cases.