[Case of facial edema and tongue swelling after aortic surgery in the lateral position].

The facial edema and tongue swelling after oral surgery are not rare complications and many case reports were published, but they were limited after anesthesia for surgery of other parts. A 70-year-old woman who had underwent thoraco-abdominal aortic graft surgery showed severe facial edema and tongue swelling after the surgery in the right lateral position. The tongue was largely protruded outside of the mouse when entering ICU and was gradually improved. Twelve hours later, the tongue was shrunken into the mouse. The patient was moved to a general ward without any complications on the 5th postoperative day. The patient had taken anti-hypertensive drugs including candesartan for a long period. She might have become susceptible to angioedema by angiotensin receptor blocker such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and stress of surgery, and anesthesia might have induced a complication of the acute tongue swelling. Although, prevention and treatment of angioedema have not been established, careful observation would be required.