A case of pulmonary haemorrhage following jet ventilation for vocal cord surgery.

INTRODUCTION

This case report highlights haemoptysis occurring after post-extubation laryngospasm.

CLINICAL PICTURE: General anaesthesia using Sanders jet ventilation with a Benjamin tube was administered for a patient undergoing vocal cord biopsy. He developed laryngospasm followed by significant pulmonary haemorrhage and widespread crepitations in the lung.

TREATMENT: Laryngospasm was aborted with assisted ventilation with oxygen 100% via bag and mask.

OUTCOME: Oxygenation was well maintained with nasal prongs only postoperatively and haemoptysis resolved after 2 days.

CONCLUSION

It is imperative to prevent laryngospasm from occurring and swift action must be taken to avoid pulmonary haemorrhage.