Pneumothorax during Laparoscopic Gastric Banding

Abstract

Pneumothorax is one of the dreaded complications following general anesthesia, which if not recognized well in time leads to increased morbidity and mortality. It commonly precipitates following a pulmonary barotrauma and a significant incidence is due to an iatrogenic cause. We present an unnusual occurrence of pneumothorax in a 49 year old female patient admitted for a laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. Etiology, mechanism of air-entry from peritoneal to pleural cavity and management are dicussed.