[Air embolism in labor].

Author report on a case of air embolism in delivery in a multigravida. Delivery was completed by an application of vacuum extractor. The parturient lost small amount of blood during delivery. Soon after delivery the patient complained about numbness in her arm and a headache. She turned pale, got disturbed and broke out in a cold sweat. Blood pressure was unmeasurable; peripheral pulse could not be felt. Immediately reanimation measures were performed. The condition of the patient got worse after a short time of improvement. For the reason of doubt about intra-abdominal hemorrhage, laparotomy was performed and finally abdominal hysterectomy was done. Incomplete rupture of the uterus was registered during the operation. The patient died during the operation. Vein air embolism was diagnosed only during the autopsy, and most probably it was a result of air aspiration through the split uterine veins.