Gas embolism during hysteroscopy. A case report]

A case of gas embolism during hysteroscopy in a young woman suffering from sterility is reported. Although this surgical procedure is considered safe, however, when complications do occur, they can be severe and rapidly fatal. The importance of an accurate intraoperative monitoring for a rapid diagnosis and treatment remarkably improve the clinical picture of the patient.     

CO2 embolism during hysteroscopy

During CO2 hysteroscopy the intracavitary pressure increases up to 80 mmHg. This can result in a CO2 embolism, especially after injury/lesion of the endometrium. A 49-year-old female Caucasian patient underwent curettage, and the following day while a hysteroscopy was being performed in general anesthesia a CO2 embolism occurred, with bradyarrhythmia, drop of arterial blood pressure, superior vena cava syndrome, metallic heartsound and hypercapnia. It was possible to achieve recompensation of the right heart failure with drug therapy. Other causes (lung embolism, hypoventilation, increased CO2 production, cardiac causes) could be excluded.     

Carbon dioxide embolism during laparoscopy and hysteroscopy

Venous carbon dioxide embolism is a rare but potentially lethal complication of laparoscopy. The risk is increased when it is associated with hysteroscopy. A case is presented of a young women undergoing laparoscopy and hysteroscopy for infertility. Cardiovascular collapse and cardiac arrest, associated with a mill-wheel murmur, occurred during hysteroscopy at the time of a change of position. The patient had irreversible brain damage and died a week later. Early diagnosis and prevention of this serious complication are discussed.     

Air embolism during operative hysteroscopy: TEE-guided resuscitation

During hysteroscopic surgery there are concerns about potential complications such as venous air and gas embolism. The incidence of subclinical air emboli events during operative hysteroscopy is significantly underestimated. The manifestations of this complication may range from an unnoticeable decrease in P(ET)CO(2) to the need for resuscitation. Three cases of air embolism with variable outcomes occurring during general anesthesia for operative hysteroscopy in otherwise healthy patients are presented.     

Gas embolism during laparoscopy

The use of laparoscopic surgery has grown considerably, and the occurrence of some accidents, albeit rare, is now reported. Among them, gas embolism can induce a bad postoperative outcome. We report seven cases of carbon dioxide embolism (CO₂) during laparoscopic surgery. In the seven cases gas embolism occurred during insufflation or a few minutes later. All the patients had a previous abdominal or pelvic surgical history. Five patients presented cardiac bradycardia or arrhythmia. Cardiovascular collapse or cyanosis was the first manifestation in three cases. Sudden bilateral mydriasis was the earliest neurologic sign, present in five cases. Finally, the gas embolism complication was lethal in two cases. In summary, this study strongly stresses the need for precise rules of prevention of gas embolism, and close monitoring of cardiac rhythm during insufflation of carbon dioxide. The patients who had previous surgery should be considered as a risk population.     

Gas embolism during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Advancements in laparoscopic surgery have resulted in decreased length of hospitalization, reduced postoperative pain, and better cosmesis following general surgical procedures. Carbon dioxide gas embolism is a rare occurrence that can be fatal. We report the case of a patient with a venous gas embolism during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A 63-year-old woman presented with intermittent right upper quadrant pain, and her abdominal ultrasound showed a possible gallbladder polyp. A laparoscopic cholecystectomy was planned. A Veress needle was placed in the right upper quadrant to initiate abdominal access. Shortly after carbon dioxide insufflation, the patient's hemodynamic status deteriorated, her oxygen saturation dropped, and her end-tidal CO2 decreased. Gas insufflation was immediately stopped, and the patient was resuscitated. She stabilized quickly, and the procedure was performed without further event. She did well postoperatively and was discharged home the next day. Carbon dioxide embolism during laparoscopy, albeit rare, can be a fatal complication of the procedure. Whenever sudden changes in hemodynamic stability occur, venous gas embolism should be considered. As laparoscopic techniques and applications are expanded, the general surgeon must be aware of this entity.     

Probable gas embolism during operative hysteroscopy caused by products of combustion

PURPOSE: Gas embolism is a rare but well documented entity during operative hysteroscopy, with an incidence of 10-50%. Catastrophic outcomes occur at a rate of three in 17,000 procedures. The purpose of this report is to present a non-fatal case of gas embolism probably caused by the gaseous products of combustion. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 50-yr-old woman with a history of menorrhagia was scheduled for hysteroscopy and endometrial ablation and polypectomy. Fifteen minutes into the procedure, with the patient in lithotomy position, 20 degree head down tilt, and breathing spontaneously, a sudden oxygen desaturation occurred from 97% to 87%. The patient's end-tidal carbon dioxide dropped from 46 mmHg to 27 mmHg. The patient's breathing pattern remained normal, respiratory rate remained 11-12 breaths x min(-1) but amplitude of the reservoir bag movement was increased. Cardiovascular variables remained stable. She responded rapidly to 100% oxygen and made an uneventful recovery. Having ruled out other possible causes, we concluded gas embolism was responsible for the fall in oxygen saturation and end-tidal CO(2). CONCLUSION: With all the precautions in place to minimize the likelihood of fluid overload and ambient air embolism occurring, we surmised that products of combustion were the cause of the gas embolism. During endometrial ablation, gaseous products of combustion, mainly carbon dioxide, accumulate. The gases may then contribute to the rise in uterine pressure that occurs as irrigation fluid enters the uterus and this rise in pressure in turn encourages passage of gas into the open venous sinuses.     

Gas embolism during radical nephrectomy by retroperitoneal laparoscopy

A case of CO2 gas embolism occurring during retroperitoneal laparoscopic right radical nephrectomy in a 70-year-old-woman is reported. Patient's outcome was excellent after venous clamping, fluid loading and application of a positive and expiratory pressure. Gas embolism is a well documented complication of laparoscopic surgery, but has been rarely described in retroperitoneal laparoscopy for urologic procedure. The retroperitoneal surgical site, the major surgical procedure with vessel manipulation and the left lateral position seem to be the risk factors for gas embolism in this case.     

宫腔镜诊治中静脉空气栓塞的预防及处理

对57例妇科住院患者行宫腔镜诊治手术,仅1例出现空气栓塞,经过早期识别和积极处理,预后良好。提出在宫腔镜手术中对膨宫系统的严格管理,膨宫压力的合理设定,进行宫颈的预处理,合适的病例选择,以及早期识别和处理,可以有效避免空气栓塞的发生及恶化。     

Gas embolism during protective ventilation for acute respiratory distress syndrome

A 34-year-old woman with toxic coma developed inhalation pneumonia complicated by the acute respiratory distress syndrome. Marked parenchymal destruction and recurrent pneumothorax occurred despite protective ventilation. Altered consciousness persisted after sedative withdrawal, and the patient subsequently died. Computed tomography revealed multiple cerebral, renal and splenic infarcts. The only identified cause of systemic embolism was multiple gas embolisms. We discuss the physiopathological mechanisms, and the diagnostic and therapeutic management of such patients.     

Gas embolism in anaesthesia

Venous, arterial and paradoxical air emboli are potential complicationsin many of the clinical scenarios encountered anaesthetists.Capnography is easy to use, routinely available and should detectmost clinically significant emboli. In high risk situations,prevention is better than cure and it is essential that theappropriate preventative measures, monitoring tools and treatmentmodalities are in place. Vigilance and good communication betweenall clinicians involved is essential. the event of a large embolism,cardiopulmonary resuscitation may be required. Additional treatmentis aimed at preventing further air entry, overcoming the airlock and reducing the size of the embolism. Paradoxical airembolism may occur in absence of a PFO. The treatment of choicefor significant arterial air emboli is hyperbaric oxygen therapy.