Oxygen embolism and pneumocephalus after hydrogen peroxide application during minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion surgery: A case report and literature review.

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) solution is commonly used to irrigate wounds because of its hemostatic and antiseptic properties. Previous studies suggest that H₂O₂ can result in toxicity to keratinocytes and fibroblasts, but complications after H₂O₂ application, including oxygen embolism, which is one of the most severe, have rarely been reported.

A 40-year-old woman was diagnosed with L4/5 lumbar spinal stenosis and subsequently underwent MIS-TLIF treatment at another hospital. Hypotension, hypoxia, and a decrease in PETCO2 occur immediately after H2O2 irrigation. After the operation, she was able to be extubated but remained comatose. Postoperative computed tomography revealed intracranial air trapping in the right frontal lobe and multiple cerebral infarction foci.When using a knee-prone surgical position or in cases of dural laceration the application of undiluted H2O2 solution should be avoided, especially in a surgical wound within a closed cavity. When hypotension, hypoxia, and a decrease in PETCO2 occur immediately after H2O2 irrigation, oxygen embolism should be strongly suspected.