"A CASE OF SEVERE NECK AND UPPER THORACIC SUBCUTANEOUS EMPHYSEMA AFTER POSTOPERATIVE VOMITING"

Abstract

Subcutaneous emphysema is a rare complication of postoperative nausea and vomiting and can lead to airway compromise. We describe a case of delayed, severe subcutaneous emphysema after postoperative vomiting which fortunately did not lead to airway compromise and eliminated with conservative management. Rough and difficult laryngoscopy and intubation, presence of clots and bloody discharge after extubation, beginning of subcutaneous emphysema in the neck spreading caudally to the chest and fibroptic bronchoscopic findings all confirmed tracheal trauma as the cause. In this case the late onset of the subcutaneous emphysema, good response to conservative treatment and spontaneous resolution is considerable.