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CO2-Lasertonsillotomy Under Local Anesthesia in Adults
Published on: November 6, 2019
Facial subcutaneous emphysema after tonsillectomy
Argyro Bizaki1, Janne Kääriäinen, Teemu Harju
1Department of Otolaryngology, University Hospital of Tampere, Tampereen yliopistollinen sairaala, PL 2000, Tampere 33521, Finland. arbizaki@gmail.com.
Background:
Tonsillectomy is a commonly performed and relatively safe surgical procedure. However, it can potentially be associated with several complications. We report a case of facial subcutaneous emphysema that occurred after elective tonsillectomy.
Case:
Tonsillectomy was performed on a patient with a history of frequent tonsillitis. After surgery, the patient developed facial subcutaneous emphysema that resolved within a few days without any further complications.
Conclusion:
Subcutaneous emphysema is a rare complication of tonsillectomy. Tonsil should be removed along the tonsilar capsule. If its removal causes a deeper than usual mucosal tear up to the level of the muscles, then air might potentially pass through the pharyngeal wall to the parapharyngeal, retropharyngeal and prevertebral spaces.
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