Objective
To assess the interference and the characteristics of periorbital edema in pupil examination with patients who underwent anterior craniotomy.
Methods
Prospective cohort study conducted postoperatively in an intensive care unit and neurosurgery ward. Interference and characteristics of periorbital edema in pupil examination were assessed between patients’ admission and the seventh day of the postoperative period. Pupil examination was performed by nurses.
Results
One hundred patients were examined and the incidence of periorbital edema was 80%. Pupil examination was not performed by a nurse in 24 patients (30%). The characteristics that influenced the performance of pupil examination were purplish coloration and severe periorbital edema.
Conclusion
Periorbital edema was found in most postoperative craniotomy patients and pupil examination was not performed in 30% of them. The presence of severe periorbital edema and purplish coloration were the factors that hampered pupil examination.
Craniotomy/adverse effects; Edema/etiology; Neurologic examination; Pupil; Nursing assessment
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