Aspiration pneumonitis due to povidone-iodine aspiration during a facial bone fracture reduction operation.

Aspiration pneumonitis caused by aspiration of an oral disinfectant such as povidone-iodine during general anesthesia is rare and presents from a simple cough to a potentially fatal reaction. We present the case of a 15-year-old woman who developed aspiration pneumonitis as a complication due to aspiration of povidone-iodine during reduction with a fracture in her left anterior maxillary wall and orbital floor while under general anesthesia. Operators should consider the risks of aspiration pneumonitis during oral cleansing while patients are under general anesthesia.