ABSTRACT
Anesthesia and surgery in patients with untreated or inadequately treated hypothyroidism carries the risk of potential complications such as prolonged unconsciousness, hypotension, hypoventilation, hyponatremia, precipitation of congestive heart failure, cardiopulmonary arrest and myxedema coma. In addition, these patients have an impaired ability to excrete free water. Therefore, careful attention must be devoted to fluid and electrolyte management to prevent fluid retention and edema. We experienced a case of acute pulmonary edema during emergence from anesthesia in a patient with cured hypothyroidism. The pulmonary edema was completely resolved with ICU care on the 5th postoperative day. We conclude that surgery in the patient with hypothyroidism require thyroid hormone replacement therapy, careful monitoring and management for the cardiovascular status.