Postoperative pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax following orthognathic surgery

Pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax are rare complications in the postoperative oral and maxillofacial surgery patient. Review of the sequence of events relating to these two life-threatening conditions emphasizes the importance of awareness of the clinical presentation and pathophysiology of these conditions as well as the need for judicious pulmonary physiotherapy in the intubated patient.