Abstract:
Caesarean section has been associated with venous air embolism. Uterine sinuses are vulnerable to the
entrance of air, especially in the presence of placenta previa. We report a 32-year-old, gravida-IV
admitted with antepartum haemorrhage and intra-uterine foetal demise at 34-weeks of gestation. She
underwent an emergency caesarean section under general anaesthesia and developed venous air
embolism intra-operatively which was managed successfully. We speculate, the administration of
methylergometrine prior to uterine incision probably lead to ‘iatrogenic’ abruption of the placenta and
venous air embolism. We recommend anaesthesiologists to avoid or be cautious while administering
oxytocics prior to uterine incision (in case of intra-uterine foetal demise
