Pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema associated with temporomandibular joint surgery

Four Different Reasons of Subcutaneous Emphysema With or Without Pneumomediastinum and Pneumothorax After Facial Bone Surgery

ABSTRACT

In the present study, the authors report rare case series with subcutaneous emphysema with or without pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax after orthognathic and facial bone contouring surgery, compare their clinical and radiologic findings, and suggest precautions. Four patients who showed subcutaneous emphysema on follow up chest X-ray and computed tomography after orthognathic and facial bone contouring surgery were included in the study. In all cases post-op subcutaneous emphysema were detected, however, the aspect and mechanisms of post-op air spread were all different. After the conservative management with administering the O2 by nasal cannula or endotracheal tube, the symptoms were relieved except 1 patient who needed chest tube insertion and further supra-sternal incision. In conclusion, subcutaneous emphysema with or without pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax after orthognathic and facial bone contouring surgery can be occurred by cervical fascia injury or alveolar ruptures. To preventing those complications, traumatic naso-tracheal intubation, excessive positive pressure ventilation, intermaxillary fixation immediate after the surgery, and increase of intra-alveolar pressure of the patients should be avoided.

Surgical Emphysema: A Rare Complication of a Simple Surgical Dental Extraction Without the Use of an Air-Driven Rotor

Surgical emphysema is a rare complication of dental extractions, often associated with the use of high-speed air rotors. This report describes a case of extensive surgical emphysema following a simple surgical extraction of a LL6 under local anaesthetic. There was no use of air-driven handpieces during the procedure. The patient developed extensive surgical emphysema bi-laterally in both cervical neck and facial planes. After prophylactic antibiotics with careful monitoring in a secondary care setting, the patient made a full unremarkable recovery. Clinical relevance: Simple extraction of teeth is a procedure carried out daily by most general dental practitioners. However, the risk of surgical emphysema without the use of high-speed air rotors or instruments using pressurized air/water is not well known or documented.

Anesthetic Complication during Maxillofacial Trauma Surgery: A Case Report of Intraoperative Tension Pneumothorax

Tension pneumothorax is a life-threatening emergency that requires a high index of suspension and immediate intervention to prevent circulatory collapse and death. Only five cases of pneumothorax were described in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery literature. All cases were postoperative complications associated with orthognathic surgery. We report a case of intraoperative tension pneumothorax during a routine facial trauma surgery requiring emergency chest decompression. The possible causes, classification, and reported cases will be presented.

A case of pharyngeal injury in a patient with swallowed toothbrush: a case report

Background

Otolaryngologists encounter cases of various foreign bodies in the oral and pharyngeal regions. One commonly found foreign body is a fish bone, ingested in most cases by carelessness or an accident. These foreign materials are removed by endoscopy or through a simple procedure. However, hypopharyngeal damage is rarely caused by a foreign body in the pharynx following the swallowing of a toothbrush.

Case presentation

A 44-year-old Asian male visited the emergency room with chief complaints of intraoral pain and dysphagia that had started on the same day. The patient had paranoid-type schizophrenia that began 10 years ago; he had been hospitalized and was being treated at another clinic, and was transferred to the emergency room by the medical staff after swallowing a toothbrush. We successfully removed a toothbrush located within the pharynx of a patient with a history of a psychologic disorder via surgery and conservative treatment.

Conclusion

The case with this patient, and a rapid diagnosis as well as treatment is imperative. The presence and state of a foreign body must be determined through a careful physical examination and imaging, followed by the immediate removal of the foreign body, all while keeping in mind the possibility of accompanying damage to nearby tissues.

Pneumomediastinum and soft tissue emphysema in pediatric hanging

Postmortem computed tomography (CT) is increasingly being used as a tool in forensic pathology. The exact value of postmortem imaging in detecting specific conditions has not yet been established, but in specific cases, it can be used as a diagnostic tool demonstrating findings that remain undetected during autopsy, as in this case. Pneumomediastinum and soft tissue emphysema were detected with postmortem CT in a 3-year-old girl after hanging. It was not found during autopsy. This radiological finding matches 3 adult cases previously described. It is assumed that in this case, the first reported in a child, hanging was the most likely cause as well. In the adult cases, it was interpreted as a vital sign; the person must have been alive to create a pressure gradient causing rupture of the alveoli. This case demonstrates one of the added values of postmortem imaging, the possibility of demonstrating findings that remain undetected during autopsy.

Pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax after orthognathic surgery -A case report-

The occurrences of pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax after oral and/or maxillofacial surgery are rare, but both are potentially life-threatening complications. Most of the cases that present pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax in the oral and/or maxillofacial surgery result from air dissecting down the fascial planes of the neck. We report a case of a 23-year-old male patient who underwent bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy under general anesthesia and developed pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax without any traumatic introduction of air through the cervical fascia three days postoperatively. The possible causes and its prevention are discussed with a review of the relevant literature.

Cervicofacial emphysema and pneumomediastinum following pediatric adenotonsillectomy: a rare complication

Cervicofacial emphysema and pneumomediastinum are rarely observed sequelae of surgical intervention in the upper aerodigestive tract. It is a potentially life-threatening condition but the majority of cases are self-limiting and benign. Symptoms include chest pain, neck pain, dyspnea and odynophagia. A case occurring after adenotonsillar surgery in a 7-year-old child is presented. This report highlights this unusual complication and its potential to delay the postoperative recovery following adenotonsillectomy.

Surgical emphysema and pneumomediastinum complicating dental extraction

Subcutaneous and mediastinal emphysema is a rare complication of dental extraction and the use of air turbines has often been implicated. We describe a case which highlights a serious complication of the use of an air rotor for the removal of a right second mandibular molar.

Subcutaneous emphysema as a complication of tonsillectomy

Subcutaneous emphysema occurs when air is introduced into the tissues. This can happen as a complication during, or immediately after surgery. It has rarely been described after tonsillectomy. Definitive treatment will depend on the cause. We report two cases of subcutaneous emphysema following tonsillectomy.

Treatment of pneumothorax during pregnancy

Pneumothorax during pregnancy is rare. A case report is presented and a novel way of managing the problem is discussed.

Pneumomediastinum secondary to use of a high speed air turbine drill during a dental extraction

Pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema of the neck and thorax can occur exceptionally following a dental procedure. A case is described of acute subcutaneous emphysema of the lateral region of the neck and thorax associated with pneumomediastinum during a dental extraction with an air and water cooled turbine burn drill.

Implications, prevention and management of subcutaneous emphysema during endodontic treatment

Subcutaneous emphysema (SCE) is a possible complication of both nonsurgical and surgical endodontic treatment. A review of the literature pertinent to endodontic intervention and SCE is highlighted, while the causes of and recommendations for the prevention of SCE are provided. A review of the pathways whereby compressed air may travel through potential spaces in the head and neck is also illustrated in an attempt to identify the possibility of morbidity and even mortality should operator induced SCE occur in a patient.