Orogenital sex as a cause of nonfatal air embolism in pregnancy

Abstract

A case of nonfatal air embolism from orogenital sex in the 30th week of pregnancy is described. Because of a delay in the diagnosis, the patient did not receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy until 39 hours after the incident. Severe neurologic dysfunction persisted despite hyperbaric therapy. The world literature on orogenital sex in pregnancy with resultant air embolism is reviewed. The pathophysiology of air embolism and the rationale for hyperbaric oxygen treatment are presented. It is strongly recommended that survivors of this form of air embolism be transferred to hyperbaric facilities as soon as possible to reduce the long-term neurologic sequelae.