A CASE OF NEGATIVE PRESSURE PULMONARY EDEMA FOLLOWING UPPER AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION DUE TO BILATERAL LARYNGEAL NERVE PARALYSIS

Abstract

A 73-year-old woman with unilateral laryngeal nerve paralysis from thyroid cancer underwent thyroidectomy. As a result of the operation, bilateral paralysis occurred. The patient developed pulmonary edema due to airway obstruction after extubation. We intubated again and tracheotomy was performed. Steroids and mechanical ventilator support by positive end-expiratory pressure were effective, and arterial blood gas oxygenation gradually improved within a few hours. It is important to note that when signs of airway obstruction are encountered, pulmonary edema may occur, and thus it is necessary to carefully perform extubation.