Nisan Özsan, Zeliha Aslı Demir
Journal of Cardio-Vascular-Thoracic Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Society - 2025;31(4):187-189
Intraoperative hypoxemia is a common yet potentially life-threatening complication during general anesthesia, resulting from alterations in pulmonary physiology as well as mechanical or clinical factors. Mucus plug-related atelectasis often remains asymptomatic but may cause severe oxygenation impairment and hemodynamic instability if not promptly recognized and treated. We report a case of intraoperative left lung collapse caused by a mucus plug during open-heart surgery in a patient with aortic and mitral valve insufficiency. This case emphasizes the importance of considering mucus plug-induced airway obstruction in the differential diagnosis of intraoperative hypoxemia. Early recognition is essential to prevent catastrophic complications.
