Iatrogenic Nerve Injury Resulting in Respiratory Failure after Mediastinoscopy

Abstract

Acute respiratory failure is divided into four categories: hypoxemic (type I), hypercarbic (type II), perioperative (type III) and shock (type IV). We present a case of perioperative respiratory failure in a patient with iatrogenic phrenic nerve injury after mediastinoscopy and the implications for a high index of suspicion as well as appropriate diagnostics.