Blindness resulting from orbital cellulitis following rhinoplasty

Abstract

Ophthalmic complications occurring after non-ophthalmic surgery are rare. We present a case of orbital cellulitis in a 24-year-old woman, who had undergone augmentation rhinoplasty in combination with breast augmentation. Symptoms included pain, swelling, erythema and eventual loss of vision in the left eye. Intravenous administration of antibiotics did not halt the rapid progression of this infection. On the sixth postoperative day, the patient underwent left-orbital evisceration to prevent the spread of infection to other organ systems. Despite aggressive therapy, the sequela was permanent, unilateral blindness. Orbital cellulitis in aesthetic surgery is extremely rare. In patients undergoing rhinoplasties that may be prolonged due to other concomitant cosmetic procedures, aseptic preoperative preparation and careful monitoring for signs of orbital infection are recommended.