Negative pressure pulmonary edema

Abstract

Pulmonary Edema associated with negative airway pressure caused by upper airway obstruction is a most serious complications in anaesthetic practice (Tami et al, 1986). Laryngospasm associated with intubation and general anaesthesia is the most common cause of upper airway obstruction leading to negative pressure pulmonary edema (NPPE) in the anaesthetic adult (Tami et al, 1986). Other risk factors for the development of upper airway obstruction are identified, and individuals at risk should be observed closely while they remain at risk during the post anaesthetic period. NPPE appears to be related to markedly negative intrathoracic pressure due to forced inspiration against a closed upper airway resulting in transudation of fluid from pulmonary capillaries to the interstitium. The following is a presentation of a case of a healthy young male who developed NPPE secondary to airway obstruction caused by biting down on the endotracheal tube while awakening from general anaesthesia.