Death caused by air embolism associated with neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser surgery and artificial sapphire tips.

Two women undergoing intrauterine surgery with the neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser delivered by the artificial sapphire tip had catastrophic cardiovascular collapse during operation. In each case the evolution of clinical events was consistent with the diagnosis of air embolus. Investigation of causative factors links the use of the sapphire tip and the gaseous cooling of the tip to the calamitous outcomes. Both women died.