A rare case: negative-pressure pulmonary edema after routine rhinoplasty

Abstract

Negative-pressure pulmonary edema (NPPE) is a very rare and dangeorus condition that generally occurs after general anesthesia in otorhinolaryngology practices. Post-obstructive pulmonary edema or NPPE caused by an acute pulmonary edema secondary to upper respiratory tract obstruction. Its sudden appearance in the early postoperative period can stress the surgeon and the anesthesiologist. Difficult breathing effort due to upper airway obstruction creates strong changes in intra-thoracic pressure, and high negative intrathoracic pressure increases the permeability of the alveolar capillary membrane, causing significant fluid changes in the pulmonary tissues. Treatment should be evaluated together with anesthesiologist or pulmonologist and the first goal should be to reduce the hypoxia.