During a hysteroscopic removal of a submucosal fibroid, a fluid deficit of 2000 mL is estimated in a patient. What is the immediate complication of this?

Correct Answer: D. Pulmonary edema

During hysteroscopic procedures, large volumes of hypotonic irrigation fluid (typically 1.5% glycine, normal saline, or dextrose solutions) are absorbed systemically through opened venous sinuses in the endometrium. A fluid deficit of 2000 mL represents significant fluid overload—this is the classic threshold for TURP syndrome (transurethral resection syndrome), which also applies to hysteroscopic procedures. The absorbed hypotonic fluid causes acute hypervolemia and hypo-osmolality. In the immediate period (minutes to hours), the excess fluid shifts into the intracellular compartment (including pulmonary interstitium) due to osmotic gradient, causing pulmonary edema. This manifests as dyspnea, orthopnea, and crackles on auscultation. The fluid overload also increases pulmonary capillary wedge pressure directly. Pulmonary edema is the most common immediate life-threatening complication of fluid absorption during hysteroscopic surgery in Indian practice. Management includes fluid restriction, diuretics (furosemide), and oxygen therapy. This is distinct from late complications like hyponatremia-induced seizures or cerebral edema, which develop over hours.

Why the other options are wrong

A. Thromboembolism — Thromboembolism is a delayed complication of any surgery due to immobility and endothelial injury, not an immediate consequence of fluid absorption. It typically develops over days post-operatively. The 2000 mL fluid deficit causes acute hypervolemia and pulmonary edema within minutes to hours, not thrombosis. B. DIC — DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation) is not a direct result of fluid overload from hysteroscopic irrigation. While severe complications like sepsis or massive transfusion can trigger DIC, simple fluid absorption does not activate the coagulation cascade acutely. Pulmonary edema precedes any coagulopathy. C. Acute tubular necrosis — ATN is a delayed renal complication that develops over 24–48 hours due to hypotension, myoglobinuria, or hemoglobinuria in severe cases. Immediate fluid overload (2000 mL) causes hypervolemia and increased renal perfusion, not acute tubular necrosis. ATN is a late complication if severe hyponatremia or shock develops.

High-Yield Facts

Mnemonics

TURP Syndrome Timeline (applies to hysteroscopy too) IMMEDIATE (minutes–hours): Pulmonary edema, hypertension, bradycardia. DELAYED (hours–days): Hyponatremia, seizures, cerebral edema, coma. Remember: fluid overload → pulmonary edema first, then electrolyte derangement. 2000 mL Rule Any hysteroscopic/urological procedure with >2000 mL fluid deficit = high risk for TURP syndrome. Think pulmonary edema as the immediate red flag.

NBE Trap

NBE may pair "fluid deficit" with late complications like DIC or ATN to trap students who don't recognize the immediate timeline. The key discriminator is "immediate complication"—only pulmonary edema occurs within minutes to hours; others develop over days.

Clinical Pearl

In Indian tertiary centers, hysteroscopic fibroid removal is increasingly common. A patient presenting with dyspnea and orthopnea immediately post-procedure with a documented 2000+ mL fluid deficit should be managed emergently with diuretics and oxygen—do not wait for laboratory confirmation of hyponatremia, as pulmonary edema can be fatal within hours.

_Reference: DC Dutta's Textbook of Obstetrics (Hysteroscopic Surgery complications); Harrison Ch. 293 (Pulmonary Edema)_