Postobstructive pulmonary edema associated with a substernal goitre

Negative-pressure pulmonary edema following maxillofacial surgery: recognize to prevent further complications

Negative-pressure pulmonary edema (NPPE) is a rare respiratory complication due to acute upper airway obstruction occurring shortly after extubation. We report a case of NPPE in young adult patient who underwent an eventful general anesthesia. The patient presented laryngospasm followed by acute respiratory distress with pink frothy sputum. The NPPE was initially misdiagnosed, and a preventable tracheostomy was performed. NPPE was managed with mechanical ventilation and diuretics, and the patient had full recovery. Every anesthesiologist should be aware of the diagnosis of NPPE. Early recognition and management are essential to prevent the morbidity associated with NPPE in young healthy patients.

Negative pressure pulmonary edema (Review)

Negative pressure pulmonary edema (NPPE) is a complication resulting from acute or chronic upper airway obstruction, often posing challenges in recognition and diagnosis for clinicians. If left untreated, NPPE can lead to hypoxemia, heart failure and even shock. Furthermore, the drug treatment of NPPE remains a subject of controversy. The primary pathophysiological mechanism of NPPE involves the need for high inspiratory pressure to counteract upper airway obstruction, subsequently causing a progressive rise in negative pressure within the pleural cavity. Consequently, this results in increased pulmonary microvascular pressure, leading to the infiltration of pulmonary capillary fluid into the alveoli. NPPE exhibits numerous risk factors and causes, with laryngospasm following anesthesia and extubation being the most prevalent. The diagnosis of NPPE often presents challenges due to confusion with conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux or cardiogenic pulmonary edema, given the similarity in initial factors triggering both diseases. Upper airway patency, positive pressure non-invasive ventilation, supplemental oxygen and re-intubation mechanical ventilation are the foundation of the treatment of NPPE. The present review aims to discuss the etiology, clinical presentation, pathophysiology and management of NPPE.

Retrosternal Goiter

Objective

Retrosternal goiters pose a significant challenge in determining the indications and appropriate approach for surgical removal while limiting postoperative morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study is to use the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database to compare outcomes of transcervical and transthoracic approaches for retrosternal goiter removal and to review the literature regarding the varying indications for the 2 surgical approaches.

Study Design

Administrative database analysis.

Setting

NSQIP database.

Subjects and Methods

The NSQIP database was queried for all cases of retrosternal thyroid: 2716 patients were included, which represents one of the largest data reviews of patients with retrosternal thyroid pathology who underwent surgery. Data were analyzed to examine morbidity and mortality of the cervical and transthoracic approaches.

Results

Patient demographics and preoperative comorbidities were similar between groups. Patients undergoing a transthoracic approach experienced increased rates of unplanned intubations and need for transfusion and length of stay postoperatively.

Conclusions

A transthoracic approach is associated with increased rates of several critical postoperative morbidities, and the data indicate the potential of increased overall mortality. Given equivalent retrosternal extension, a transcervical approach should be attempted whenever anatomically possible, regardless of pathology.