[Oxygen embolism after use of hydrogen peroxide in thoracic surgery].
Hydrogen peroxide is often used for irrigation of surgical wounds. In the presented two cases hydrogen peroxide was used to irrigate the thoracic cavity after thoracotomy for lung surgery. After irrigation with hydrogen peroxide only one patient showed clinical signs of pulmonary embolism. In both cases the postoperative recovery was uneventful. In one of the cases transesophageal echocardiography showed air bubbles, a sign of oxygen embolism, passing the right heart.


CONCLUSIONS
The application of hydrogen peroxide in preformed cavities, such as the thoracic, should be avoided.
Konrad
C
C
Institut für Anästhesie und Reanimation, Kantonsspital, Luzern.
Schüpfer
G
G
Wietlisbach
M
M
D004452:Echocardiography; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000139:chemically induced*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D013908:Thoracotomy
D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D010100:Oxygen