Faculty Bibliography

Ischemic optic neuropathy is a rare cause of blindness reported most commonly in association with collagen-vascular diseases, infectious processes, and systemic hypotension related to massive exsanguinating hemorrhage. We report what we believe to be the first case of posterior ischemic optic neuropathy due to perioperative hypotension in a patient who had a penetrating thoracoabdominal injury with massive hemorrhage, severe hypotension, massive microcapillary circulatory leak, multiple system organ failure, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Although the incidence of postoperative visual loss is low (-0.002%), awareness of this entity must be raised within the trauma surgical community.

Klüver-Bucy syndrome (KBS) has been described as a disconnection of the temporal lobes from the remainder of the brain. Its presence in minor head trauma has not been previously reported. We therefore report what we believe to be the first case of KBS due to mild head trauma and unilateral injury to a temporal lobe.

This article deals with injuries to the celiac trunk, superior and inferior mesenteric arterial injuires. Surgical approaches and physiological implications of interruption of the mesenteric arterial circulation are addressed in detail. Surgical techniques for the management of these injuries and the need for second look operations are also examined.