Oxygen embolism after hydrogen peroxide irrigation of a vulvar abscess

Article Article scientifique Rapport de cas Oxygen embolism after hydrogen peroxide irrigation of a vulvar abscess eng 2002-04 author Haller Guy Serge Antoine 28638 author Faltin-Traub Ellen Françoise 37476 author Faltin Daniel Ladislas 39341 author Kern Christian 63140 597-599 10.1093/bja/88.4.597 12066743 0007-0912 https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0007091217364930 We report a case of venous oxygen embolism in a 33-yr-old healthy woman after irrigation of a vulvar abscess with 25 ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Venous oxygen embolism was diagnosed by the development of sudden hypoxia associated with a decrease in end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration from 5.3 kPa to 3.2 kPa, and a 'mill-wheel' sound on cardiac auscultation soon after injection of the solution. The patient responded to corrective treatment including the Trendelenburg position and 100% oxygen. She made an uneventful recovery. We discuss the possible causative mechanism of this embolism, the different diagnostic methods, and the controversial aspects of available treatments. We emphasize that hydrogen peroxide is a dangerous and unsuitable agent for routine wound irrigation and debridement. Abscess / surgery Adult Anti-Infective Agents, Local / adverse effects Embolism, Air / etiology Female Humans Hydrogen Peroxide / adverse effects Intraoperative Care / adverse effects Intraoperative Complications Oxygen Therapeutic Irrigation / adverse effects Vulvar Diseases / surgery Surgery, gynaecological Infection, bacterial Complications, oxygen embolism Dewey 617 Dewey 618 58 Département de pédiatrie, gynécologie et obstétrique 223 63 Département d'anesthésiologie, pharmacologie, soins intensifs et urgences 229 false British journal of anaesthesia 88 4 4c9b5078-016d-46c8-a516-91ecbc37deca Article (Published version) Public Oxygen embolism.pdf 59835 application/pdf openAccess Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département de pédiatrie, gynécologie et obstétrique Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département d'anesthésiologie, pharmacologie, soins intensifs et urgences

Title	Published in	Access level	OA Policy	Year	Views	Downloads

Oxygen embolism after hydrogen peroxide irrigation of a vulvar abscess	British journal of anaesthesia			2002	251	176

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Faltin-Traub, Ellen Françoise