Negative pressure pulmonary edema resulting from upper airway obstruction during the post-anesthesia recovery period: a case series and literature review

Negative pressure pulmonary edema (NPPE) is a non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema primarily resulting from upper airway obstruction, particularly following laryngospasm during the post-anesthesia recovery period. We report five cases of NPPE that occurred during recovery from general anesthesia at our institution. Among these, four cases were attributed to glossoptosis following extubation, while one case resulted from laryngeal mask displacement. All patients exhibited typical clinical features and imaging findings consistent with pulmonary edema, and none experienced poor prognoses. Glossoptosis and improper positioning of the laryngeal mask during the recovery phase of anesthesia pose a risk for inducing NPPE.