Unilateral Total Atelectasis Caused by Endobronchial Secretion: A Case Report

Abstract

Background: Intraoperative hypoxemia is common unwanted situation. It is important to figure out the mechanism which caused hypoxemia to individual patients.

Case: A 78-year-old male patient without underlying disease underwent craniectomy and external ventricular drainage surgery under general anesthesia. During induction of anesthesia, patient's saturation dropped to under 80% with 100% O2 . Total atelectasis of right lung was found on portable chest X-ray. Complete obstruction of the right main bronchus due to thick yellowish secretion was observed on fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Aspiration with endobronchial suction catheter guided with fiberoptic bronchoscopy was done. Saturation and atelectasis were recovered and there was no desaturation event. After 12 days, extubation was completed without any complications.

Conclusions: This case shows importance of finding accurate cause of hypoxemia, as well as efficacy of fiberoptic bronchoscopy as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool for intraoperative atelectasis.

Keywords: Atelectasis; Hypoxemia; Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy; General Anesthesia

Citation

Kim JY, Jang HJ, Kim NY, Kim KN. Unilateral Total Atelectasis Caused by Endobronchial Secretion: A Case Report. WebLog J Anesthesiol. wjan.2026.h2701. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22097562