Gas Embolism During Hysteroscopic Surgery?: Three Cases and a Literature Review

A A Case Rep. 2017 Sep 1;9(5):140-143. doi: 10.1213/XAA.0000000000000549.

Abstract

During a period of 1 month, 3 episodes of probable or actual venous air embolism occurred during hysteroscopic surgery. All patients developed the same symptoms of ventilatory and hemodynamic decompensation, beginning with a reduction in end-tidal carbon dioxide, arterial desaturation, and cyanosis on the upper trunk, and rapidly progressed to hypotension and 2 cardiac arrests. While entrainment of some air is common during hysteroscopy, life-threatening embolism is a rare but serious complication for which an anesthetist needs to be vigilant and prepared. If even a small drop in end-tidal carbon dioxide occurs, venous air embolism should be suspected and the operation should be discontinued.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Disease Management
  • Embolism, Air / complications
  • Embolism, Air / etiology*
  • Female
  • Heart Arrest / etiology
  • Humans
  • Hypotension / etiology
  • Hysteroscopy / adverse effects*
  • Middle Aged