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Bilobar atelectasis after difficult tracheal intubation
Author(s) -
Sprung J.,
Lozada L. J.,
Zanettin G.,
Banoub M.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1997.227-az0362.x
Subject(s) - medicine , atelectasis , intubation , bronchoscopy , anesthesia , tracheal intubation , lung , mechanical ventilation , surgery
Acute intra‐operative collapse of a lobe without apparent cause is rare. We report a case of transient bilobar atelectasis that developed without any apparent cause after a difficult tracheal intubation in a healthy young patient. Intrabronchial obstruction was ruled out by bronchoscopy. The bilobar atelectasis developed acutely and resolved quickly with mechanical ventilation. The characteristics of the lung collapse were atypical, suggesting either its reflex nature or acute reduction of lung volume owing to intubation‐induced coughing. We present a review of the mechanisms of atelectasis.