Abstract

Right Upper Lobe Collapse in a Healthy Individual, after Endotracheal Tube Extubation, for Elective Procedure

Background: Hypoxia is a commonly encountered phenomenon with well-recognized causes in the perioperative period which requires timely diagnosis and management. Case presentation: In this case report we present a healthy adult male patient who had undergone liposuction for bilateral gynecomastia under general anesthesia. The operative surgical procedure and anesthesia were uneventful; however, the patient developed respiratory distress and a sudden decrease in SpO2 after extubation. He required re-intubation and ventilation immediately postoperatively for hypoxia and respiratory distress. On evaluation, he was found to have right upper lobe collapse which may have resulted from bronchospasm after endotracheal tube extubation. The patient was successfully managed with mechanical ventilation and bronchodilators. Conclusion: Greater awareness of this potential complication is needed for timely diagnosis and management.

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