Negative Pressure Pulmonary Edema Associated with Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery

Abstract

We report a very rare case of negative pressure pulmonary edema (NPPE) that occurred immediately after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). The patient was a 25-year-old man who sustained a facet fracture-dislocation of C5 during a traffic accident. After ACDF, he developed NPPE and needed mechanical ventilation. Fortunately, he recovered fully within 24 hours. NPPE is a rare postoperative complication that may occur after cervical spine surgery. The aims of this report are to present information regarding the diagnosis and emergent treatment of NPPE, and to review the previous literature regarding this serious complication.

Keywords

• Negative pressure pulmonary edema
• Complication
• Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
• cervical discectomy and fusion
• Airway
• Prevertebral soft tissue swelling
• Cervical spine