[Postoperative extrapleural pneumothorax. Presentation of a case]

Area of Science:

• Medical Case Reports
• Pulmonology
• Anesthesiology

Background:

• Pneumomediastinum is a condition characterized by the presence of air in the mediastinum.
• It can arise spontaneously or secondary to various medical and surgical conditions.

Observation:

• A patient developed pneumomediastinum during the course of acute bronchitis.
• The condition was also noted postoperatively following general anesthesia and orotracheal intubation.

Findings:

• The study documents a rare instance of pneumomediastinum linked to both acute bronchitis and airway management during surgery.
• This highlights potential iatrogenic causes of pneumomediastinum.

Implications:

• Understanding the association between respiratory infections, anesthesia, and pneumomediastinum is crucial for clinicians.
• Early recognition and management are key for favorable patient outcomes in such cases.