Oxygen embolism after use of hydrogen peroxide in thoracic surgery
Konrad, C.; Schüpfer, G.; Wietlisbach, M.
Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift 127(45): 1871-1874
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-7672 PMID: 9446208 Document Number: 469634
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. The application of hydrogen peroxide in preformed cavities, such as the thoracic, should be avoided.