Pneumothorax After Shoulder Arthroscopy: A Rare Complication of Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery

Konstantinos Kateros; Emmanouil Skotidis; George D Bablekos; Maria Vlachou; Konstantinos Giatroudakis; Olga Theodorolea; Spyridon P Galanakos

doi:10.7759/cureus.36774

Pneumothorax After Shoulder Arthroscopy: A Rare Complication of Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery

Cureus. 2023 Mar 27;15(3):e36774. doi: 10.7759/cureus.36774. eCollection 2023 Mar.

Authors

Konstantinos Kateros¹, Emmanouil Skotidis¹, George D Bablekos², Maria Vlachou¹, Konstantinos Giatroudakis¹, Olga Theodorolea¹, Spyridon P Galanakos³

Affiliations

¹ First Orthopaedic Department, G. Gennimatas General Hospital, Athens, GRC.
² Biomedical Sciences, Occupational Therapy & Nursing Department, University of West Attica, Athens, GRC.
³ Orthopaedic Department, Primary Health Care Corporation, Athens, GRC.

Abstract

Shoulder arthroscopy is considered a very safe surgical procedure; however, there are possible complications that are prevalent or devastating. This article presents a 52-year-old woman scheduled for elective arthroscopic rotator cuff repair under general anesthesia in the lateral decubitus position. Postoperatively, the patient experienced dyspnea, chest pain, and oxygen desaturation, and a diagnosis of pneumothorax was made. A chest tube was inserted promptly and the patient was discharged in a good condition, experiencing an uneventful follow-up for the next four months. Knowledge of this uncommon complication may enable both surgeons and anesthesiologists to set up preventive and early therapeutic management.

Keywords: anesthesia; arthroscopic shoulder surgery; pneumothorax (ptx); risk factors for pneumothorax; rotator cuff repair surgery.

Publication types

Case Reports