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Intraoperative pneumothorax during laparoscopic repair of paraesophageal hernia under general anesthesia
Intraoperative pneumothorax during laparoscopic repair of paraesophageal hernia under general anesthesia
Claudia Cruz-Bolaños 1 
, Jesús D. Amaya-López 2 , Horacio Olivares-Mendoza 1 , Cristian I. Ham-Armenta 1
1 Servicio de Anestesiología, Centro Médico ABC, Ciudad de México, México; 2 Anesthesiology Service, Centro Médico ABC, Mexico City, Mexico
*Correspondence: Claudia Cruz-Bolaños. Email: claudiaczbshap@gmail.com
Abstract
Pneumothorax during laparoscopic surgery is an uncommon but potentially serious complication, and its intraoperative diagnosis can be challenging. We report the case of a 66-year-old woman undergoing laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair who developed a sudden increase in airway pressures and elevated end-tidal CO2. Lung ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis. After unsuccessful conservative management, pleural decompression was performed with clinical improvement. This case highlights the importance of early suspicion and the role of lung ultrasound as a useful diagnostic tool in the intraoperative setting.
Keywords: Pneumothorax. Hernia paraoesophageal. Laparoscopy, General anesthesia.
