A 42-year-old woman underwent a hysteroscopic resection of uterine fibroids under general anesthesia with informed consent. The uterus measured 9.1 × 4.2 × 6.6 cm with multiple fibroids, the largest being 3.4 × 2.4 × 2.1 cm and 2.1 × 2.1 × 1.8 cm. Anesthesia was induced with propofol and fentanyl and maintained with sevoflurane/oxygen/air mixture via a laryngeal mask device. She was hemodynamically stable with adequate ventilation and oxygenation. The procedure progressed with the patient in the Trendelenberg position at the surgeon’s request. Approximately two and half hours into the case, the patient’s tidal volumes decreased and peak airway pressures increased with subsequent desaturation. It was difficult to bag ventilate the patient and she became hemodynamically unstable. The laryngeal mask airway was replaced by an endotracheal tube and subsequent mechanical ventilation improved oxygen saturation and stabilized hemodynamics. Chest auscultation revealed diffuse crackles. A final total of one thousand and three hundred cubic centimeters of crystalloid was administered intravenously over the two and a half hour case. Two thousand and ten cubic centimeters of 0.9% normal saline irrigation fluid was measured. A 16 French Foley catheter placed by the surgical team yielded 700 cc of voided urine immediately. The procedure ended and the patient was taken to the surgical intensive care unit intubated. A postoperative chest X-ray image showed bilateral patchy opacification. Ventilation with high positive end expiratory pressure was initiated and furosemide was administered. Arterial blood gas yielded hypercapnia (pCO₂ 49.5 mmHg) and hypoxemia (pO₂ 327 mmHg on 100% FiO₂). There were no significant metabolic derangements postoperatively (e.g., serum sodium, potassium, and glucose). Following treatment, the patient was extubated five hours later. Clinical and radiographic evaluation showed no abnormalities. The patient was discharged uneventfully the next day.

Transurethral, hysteroscopic, and other percutaneous procedures utilize large volumes of irrigating and/or distension solutions. Complications of hysteroscopy include uterine perforation, hemorrhage, and gas embolism [1]. Fluid overload complications such as subsequent hyponatremia, hypo-osmolality, hypothermia, pulmonary edema, cerebral edema, or heart failure, can be fatal. Procedure duration and patient positioning may also affect the extent to which venous sinuses accumulate distension medium. The type of distending medium used contributes to pathophysiology [5]. Specific additives can have adverse effects. Absorbed glycine may induce cardiac and renal toxicity. Glycine can be metabolized in the liver to ammonia and may lead to visual impairment. High ammonia levels may result in neurologic disturbance. It is important for anesthesia practitioners to be aware of and recognize the potential symptomatology during hysteroscopy. In the present case, the patient demonstrated fluid overload likely secondary to rapid absorption of fluids. Communication with the surgical team regarding the possible concerns for fluid overload and a meticulous attention to patient hemodynamic patterns via noninvasive or invasive monitors is warranted.