What Researchers Did
Researchers presented a case study of a 20-year-old male with Goldenhar syndrome who developed an ischemic stroke, theorized to be from an air embolism, following orthognathic surgery.
What They Found
A 20-year-old male patient with Goldenhar syndrome developed an acute ischemic stroke in the left thalamus after undergoing LeFort I maxillary osteotomy, bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy, and anterior iliac crest bone grafting. Advanced imaging revealed air pockets in the cavernous sinus, suggesting an air embolism as the cause of the stroke.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients with Goldenhar syndrome undergoing complex craniofacial surgeries should be aware of the rare but serious risk of ischemic stroke due to air embolism. Healthcare providers performing such procedures should maintain vigilance for signs of air embolism and stroke, ensuring prompt recognition and management.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
As a single case report, this study's findings are not generalizable to a broader patient population.