Indian Journal of Anaesthesia (Jan 2011)

Acute hypoxaemia due to intraoperative lung collapse after repositioning the patient

  • Bina P Butala,
  • Veena R Shah,
  • Guruprasad P Bhosale

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5049.84859
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 55, no. 4
pp. 395 – 398

Abstract

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Desaturation after induction of anaesthesia and repositioning due to mucus plug causing atelectasis (lung collapse) is a rare event. We present a case of intraoperative right lung collapse due to mucus plug in a patient undergoing left laparoscopic nephrectomy. Hypoxaemia occurred after the induction of anaesthesia and repositioning. X-ray chest revealed right lung collapse and surgery was subsequently postponed. Lung re-expanded after postural drainage and suction. Postoperatively patient was diagnosed to have retrocardiac bronchiectasis. After preoperative preparation with postural drainage, chest physiotherapy, and antibiotics, the patient underwent surgery uneventfully.

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