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[Emphysema in the tonsil surgery. A case report]
J M Ruiz Gómez1, J Lorenzo Rojas, P Cortés Sánchez
1Servicio de ORL, Hospital Universitario de Granada.
Acta Otorrinolaringologica Espanola
|August 26, 1998
Summary
Subcutaneous peripharyngeal emphysema is a rare complication after surgery. This case highlights its occurrence following bilateral tonsillectomy, where air spread to the neck and chest.
Area of Science:
- Medicine
- Surgery
- Anesthesiology
Background:
- Subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum are uncommon postoperative complications.
- These can occur after various head and neck surgeries, including orthognathic, laryngeal, tracheotomy, and oropharyngeal procedures.
Observation:
- A 43-year-old male developed subcutaneous and peripharyngeal emphysema.
- This complication arose after undergoing a bilateral tonsillectomy.
Findings:
- The case demonstrates the potential for air or anesthetic gases to dissect into the fascial planes of the neck.
- This dissection can extend to the mediastinum, abdomen, and pleural cavity.
Implications:
- Recognizing this rare complication is crucial for timely diagnosis and management in postoperative patients.
- Understanding the pathways of gas spread is important for surgical planning and patient monitoring.