Management of Bilateral Extensive Subcutaneous Emphysema

Authors

  • Kee Nam Tan Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Queen Elizabeth, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
  • Yon Lek Yap Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Sultanah Nora Ismail, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia
  • Qin Jian Low Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Sultanah Nora Ismail, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51200/bjms.v16i1.3301

Keywords:

cannula , chest tube , subcutaneous emphysema

Abstract

Subcutaneous emphysema (SE) occurs when there is a trapping of air under the skin due to leakage either from the gastrointestinal or respiratory tract. SE is commonly associated with procedural complications such as chest tube insertion, cardiothoracic surgery; as well as barotrauma, infection and malignancy. The majority of SE resolve spontaneously without any active intervention. However, it is a medical emergency as SE may spread and compromise the airway. Various interventions had been described in other literature. We would like to illustrate a case of extensive SE one day after chest tube insertion for secondary spontaneous pneumothorax, successfully relieved by usage of cannulas and low-grade pressure suction.

Published

2022-02-08

How to Cite

Kee Nam Tan, Yon Lek Yap, & Qin Jian Low. (2022). Management of Bilateral Extensive Subcutaneous Emphysema. Borneo Journal of Medical Sciences (BJMS), 16(1), 43–47. https://doi.org/10.51200/bjms.v16i1.3301
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