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Case Reports
. 2005 Jun;100(6):1651-1652.
doi: 10.1213/01.ANE.0000154304.63828.C0.

Possible air embolism during eye surgery

Thomas Ledowski  1 , Felix Kiese, Silke Jeglin, Jens Scholz
Affiliations
Case Reports

Possible air embolism during eye surgery

Thomas Ledowski et al. Anesth Analg. 2005 Jun.

Abstract

We report a case of possible air embolism during a three-port pars plana vitrectomy and air-fluid exchange of the vitreous cavity of the eye. After the start of intraocular air flushing, sudden tachycardia, a decrease in oxygen saturation and end-tidal carbon dioxide tension, and a distinct "mill-wheel" murmur were observed. Venous air embolism was suspected but other sources of air entry into the circulation and a thromboembolic event were excluded. Once intraocular air flushing was ceased, clinical variables returned to normal within minutes. In conclusion, during air-fluid exchange of the vitreous cavity, air embolism should be considered as a possible rare complication.

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