Subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum after endotracheal anaesthesia

INTRODUCTION: We report a case of subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum that presented postoperatively after tracheal extubation.

CLINICAL PICTURE: A 51-year-old man had an uneventful anaesthesia lasting about 6.5 hours. Intubation was performed by a very junior medical officer and was considered difficult. He developed sore throat, chest pain, numbness of both hands and palpable crepitus around the neck postoperatively. Chest X-ray revealed diffuse subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum and possible pneumopericardium.

TREATMENT: He was treated conservatively with bed rest, oxygen, analgesia, antibiotic prophylaxis, reassurance and close monitoring.

OUTCOME: The patient made an uneventful recovery.

CONCLUSIONS: We discussed the possible causes.