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Case of vascular air embolism during holmium laser enucleation of the prostate
Author(s) -
Kato Takuma,
Sugimoto Mikio,
Matsuoka Yuki,
Sakura Yuma,
Hayashida Yushi,
Hirama Hiromi,
Tsunemori Hiroyuki,
Ueda Nobufumi,
Uemura Naoya,
Miyawaki Yuki,
Shirakami Gotaro,
Kakehi Yoshiyuki
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
international journal of urology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.172
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1442-2042
pISSN - 0919-8172
DOI - 10.1111/iju.12651
Subject(s) - medicine , enucleation , air embolism , surgery , complication , prostate , femoral vein , radiology , cancer
Vascular air embolism is a rare complication during transurethral surgery. A case of air embolism during holmium laser enucleation of the prostate in a 76‐year‐old man is presented. During the step of morcellation, the patient's blood pressure suddenly oscillated up and down, and end‐tidal CO 2 and arterial saturation decreased. Transesophageal and transthoracic echocardiography showed air collection in the right atrium. It was also discovered that incorrect assembly of the tube from the morcellator caused rapid entrainment of air into the vein. Computed tomography and abdominal X‐ray showed niveau formation in the femoral vein and air collection in the pelvic retroperitoneal space. The patient recovered with careful observation and was discharged 7 days after the operation with no sequelae. This report is presented to remind urologists of this unusual complication that can occur during holmium laser enucleation of the prostate procedures.