title: Care of the arthroscopy patient with noncardiogenic pulmonary edema.
abstract: A young athlete is unexpectedly admitted to an orthopaedic unit after routine arthroscopic knee surgery with the following diagnosis: noncardiogenic pulmonary edema related to postextubation laryngospasm. This emergent condition, which may be life-threatening due to rapid changes in intrathoracic, alveolar, and interstitial pressures, requires immediate, aggressive treatment. With proper intervention, laryngospasm-induced noncardiogenic pulmonary edema becomes a self-limiting process, and full recovery may occur within 48 hours of the initial insult to the lungs. This article presents a case study of a patient with this condition, including the initial and subsequent interventions that were provided. The pathophysiologic responses and clinical manifestations of laryngospasm and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema are addressed, followed by a suggested course of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Inpatient and Outpatient PACU, St. Joseph Medical Center, Towson, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Mamaril
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Zeltt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001182:Arthroscopy; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007826:Laryngismus / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing*; D008297:Male; D016530:Orthopedic Nursing; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing*