[A case of endotracheal tube obstruction caused by pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic cholecystectomy]

A 56-year-old man with cholecystolithiasis was scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Anesthesia was induced with pentazocine and propofol i.v., and the trachea was intubated using vecuronium i.v. Anesthesia was maintained with 70% nitrous oxide and 1-3% sevoflurane in oxygen, and vecuronium was used for muscle relaxation. The lungs were mechanically ventilated with a tidal volume of 600 ml and a respiratory rate of 8 cycles.min-1. Following induction of carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum, blood pressure, PETCO2 and peak inspiratory pressure gradually increased. PETCO2 increased from 33 mmHg to 48 mmHg despite increase in the respiratory rate to 20 cycles.min-1. By 45 minutes after the beginning of surgery, PETCO2 had increased to 60 mmHg, and ventilation of the lungs was impossible. Bronchofiberscopy revealed obstruction of the endotracheal tube by tracheal mucosa. The endotracheal tube was then drawn out by 2 cm with slight recovery of ventilation. After 1 h 16 min of surgery, it was observed that the patient had developed pneumoscrotum and subcutaneous emphysema extending from femoral area, abdomen, and thorax to the right neck. Chest rentogenography revealed a slight tracheal shift and subcutaneous emphysema. One hour after the end of surgery, PaCO2 was 48.9 mmHg under spontaneous respiration. We speculate that the pneumoperitoneum shifted the tracheal carina cephalad, causing obstruction of the endotracheal tube. Our findings show that displacement of the endotracheal tube must be carefully monitored during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.