Gastric rupture during fiberoptic bronchoscopy, a rare complication of oxygen administration by nasopharyngeal cannula: a case report

Abstract

Concomitant use of a nasopharyngeal catheter is frequently used for oxygen supply during fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB). This is a procedure that presents possible complications that are not negligible. We demonstrate the case of a 61-year-old woman who underwent FOB due to a history of hemoptoic sputum. During the procedure, gastric rupture occurred with a large pneumoperitoneum and bilateral pneumothorax requiring immediate drainage of the air and an emergent laparotomy. This was probably a complication of the nasopharyngeal catheter. The knowledge of these complications is essential for their correct identification and treatment.

Keywords: Bronchoscopy; Cardiac arrest; Gastric rupture; Pneumoperitoneum; Pneumothorax.