Subcutaneous Emphysema: A Rare Postoperative Complication after Tonsillectomy

Authors

  • Manilal Aich Litu Associate Professor, ENT & Head Neck Surgery, Sir Sallimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital, Dhaka
  • Nurul Karim Chowdhury Registrar, ENT & Head Neck Surgery, Sir Sallimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital, Dhaka
  • Mohammad Amzad Hossain Registrar, ENT & Head Neck Surgery, Sir Sallimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital, Dhaka
  • Abdullah Al Mamun MS student, ENT & Head Neck Surgery, Sir Sallimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital, Dhaka
  • Mashuque Mahmud Assistant Registrar, ENT & Head Neck Surgery, Sir Sallimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital, Dhaka
  • Dipali Bishwas Associated Professor, Oral Anatomy and Physiology, City Dental College, Dhaka
  • Utpal Kumar Dutta Registrar, ENT & Head Neck Surgery, Sir Sallimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital, Dhaka
  • Md Zahedul Alam Head of Department, ENT & Head Neck Surgery, Sir Sallimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital, Dhaka

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/jpsb.v3i1.23909

Keywords:

Subcutaneous Emphysema, Surgical Emphysema, Tonsillectomy

Abstract

Tonsillectomy is considered as a relatively safe procedure. This report aimed at describing an uncommon complication of this surgical procedure - subcutaneous emphysema. A 12 years old girl admitted for tonsillectomy operation. After routine preoperative assessment her operation was performed under general anesthesia. Surgery was uneventful. 7-8 hours after surgery, during follow-up in postoperative room progressing subcutaneous emphysema was noticed which initially involved the neck. But later on, it extended upper chest, upper arms, face & back. Crepitus swelling of neck and bilateral parotid region, typical of subcutaneous emphysema was noted. Chest X ray showed free air in the cervical regions reaching upper mediastinum. There was no airway obstruction and patients general condition was stable. Emphysema was no longer clinically evident 3 days after & patient was released. Subcutaneous emphysema is an uncommon complication of tonsillectomy, appearing almost ever after deeper dissections of the pharyngeal mucosa, when a porous surface is created, thus providing a route for the entry of air. Increased upper airway pressure may contribute to this injury.

J. Paediatr. Surg. Bangladesh 3(1): 51-53, 2012 (January)

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Author Biography

Manilal Aich Litu, Associate Professor, ENT & Head Neck Surgery, Sir Sallimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital, Dhaka



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Published

2015-06-29

How to Cite

Litu, M. A., Chowdhury, N. K., Hossain, M. A., Mamun, A. A., Mahmud, M., Bishwas, D., Dutta, U. K., & Alam, M. Z. (2015). Subcutaneous Emphysema: A Rare Postoperative Complication after Tonsillectomy. Journal of Paediatric Surgeons of Bangladesh, 3(1), 51–53. https://doi.org/10.3329/jpsb.v3i1.23909

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2012)

Section

Case Reports

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