Paradoxical Gas Embolism During Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy With Postoperative Acute Cerebral Infarction: A Case Report

ABSTRACT Gas embolism is a serious complication in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Intraoperative real‐time transesophageal echocardiography is helpful for diagnosis. We present a case of a 61‐year‐old man who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and experienced circulatory shock. Transesophageal echocardiography showed a large number of bubbles in four cardiac chambers, although there was an absence of an intracardiac shunt. After the surgery, the patient had an impairment of limb movement and was diagnosed with postoperative acute cerebral infarction.