• Peng Zou, Jun-Song Yang, Xiang-Fu Wang, Jian-Min Wei, Hao Guo, Bo Zhang, Fan Zhang, Lei Chu, Ding-Jun Hao, and Yuan-Tin Zhao.
• Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
• World Neurosurg. 2020 Jun 1; 138: 201-204.

BackgroundHydrogen 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.Case DescriptionA 40-year-old woman was diagnosed with L4-5 lumbar spinal stenosis and subsequently underwent minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion treatment at another hospital. Hypotension, hypoxia, and a decrease in end-tidal carbon dioxide pressure occurred immediately after H2O2 irrigation. After the operation, she was able to be extubated but remained comatose. Postoperative computed tomography scan revealed intracranial air trapping in the right frontal lobe and multiple cerebral infarction foci.ConclusionsWhen 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 end-tidal carbon dioxide pressure occur immediately after H2O2 irrigation, oxygen embolism should be strongly suspected.Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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