Cardiovascular collapse during gynecologic laparoscopy complicated by pulmonary edema: report of a case

Although gynecologic laparoscopic surgery has recently become a routine and widespread operative procedure in Taiwan, the potential risks and complications in the clinical practice of laparoscopy should not be overlooked. Whilst the incidence of complications are rare, they can sometimes be serious, even life-threatening. This case report presents a woman with ruptured endometrioma, who developed sudden-onset cardiovascular collapse during laparoscopic procedure, in which carbon dioxide was used for insufflation. After resuscitation including cardioversion, her vital functions were restored; pulmonary edema developed soon afterwards but was resolved with conservative treatment. We discuss the possible causes of cardiovascular collapse during laparoscopic procedure and the management of resulting complications.