Abstract:

Negative pressure pulmonary edema is a rare complication of general anesthesia. This paper presents a case of acute negative pressure pulmonary edema that occurred during general anesthesia resuscitation. The patient is a young male that underwent bimaxillary surgery under general anesthesia. Laryngospasm spasm ensued after extubation. The treatment for laryngeal spasm retained the smoothness of the nasopharyngal airway, and the pulse oxygen saturation rapidly decreased after anesthesia resuscitation. Pink foam sputum was sucked out from the cavity due to respiratory shortness from mouth and nose. Highly concentrated oxygen was immediately given to assist ventilation and as a symptomatic support (diuretics, hormones), and the condition evidently improved. The diagnosis and treatment of this case suggest that when acute pulmonary edema occurs during general anesthesia resuscitation, negative pressure pulmonary edema should be highly suspected. The first line of treatment is to relieve respiratory tract obstruction. Supplying highly concentrated oxygen to assist positive pressure ventilation is an effective treatment to alleviate pulmonary edema.

Key words: negative pressure pulmonary edema, general anesthesia, laryngospasm