Subcutaneous emphysema of the upper extremity after elbow arthroscopy

Complications in Elbow Arthroscopy: Management and Prevention

With advances in the understanding of elbow anatomy, pathologies of the elbow, arthroscopic instrumentation, and surgical techniques over recent decades, elbow arthroscopy has become a valuable treatment modality for a variety of conditions. Elbow arthroscopy has gained utility for treating problems such as septic arthritis, osteoarthritis, synovitis, osteophyte and loose body excision, contracture release, osteochondral defects, select fractures, instability, and lateral epicondylitis. Accordingly, precise knowledge of the neurovascular anatomy, safe arthroscopic portal placement, indications, and potential complications are required to maximize patient outcomes and assist in educating patients. This comprehensive review provides the reader an understanding of the potential complications associated with arthroscopic procedures of the elbow and to describe strategies for prevention and management.

A systematic review of elbow arthroscopy complications : Complications, risk factors, and safety tips

PURPOSE

To determine the complications from elbow arthroscopy for the past 16 years, and to summarize the most reported safety techniques and risk factors.

METHODS

Eligibility criteria included level I to IV evidence articles that were published after 2005 in the English language. Excluded were vet, paediatric, and cadaver studies. Open and arthroscopic-assisted elbow procedures were not included. Two online databases were comprehensively searched (PubMed and PMC) in April 2021. Relevant paper selection was conducted by two independent reviewers. MINORS score, demographic properties, indications, procedure type, complication rates, reoperation rates, reported risk factors, and safety techniques were recorded.

RESULTS

Fifty-two articles met the criteria and were included. No relevant level I to II evidence studies were discovered. The mean age ranged from 31 to 65 years. The average body mass indexes were between 26 and over 40 kg/m². There was a prevalence of male sex (from 50.2 to 79.2%). Most of the studies reported a minimum follow-up (range, 4 weeks-12 months). The most common arthroscopic procedure was debridement (up to 73% in Leong et al.'s study). The average MINORS score was 12 (range, 10-16). The total complications rate ranged from 1.5 to 11%, with a few studies reporting over 25%. Nerve injury rate was 1.26-7.5%. Re-operation rate ranged from none (100 procedures) to 11.8%.

CONCLUSIONS

Elbow arthroscopy is a successful procedure with a low overall complications rate (from 1.5 to 11%), and a low nerve injury rate (from 1.26 to 7.5%). Risk factors include patient-related factors (obesity, female sex, age over 65 years, elevated blood sugar levels, hypercoagulable disorder, tobacco and alcohol use), preoperative elbow impairment/previous surgery, and periprocedural steroid injections. Our review discovered a re-operation rate of 2 to 18%.

Retroperitoneal pneumatosis and subcutaneous emphysema after oblique lateral interbody fusion surgery: a case report

BACKGROUND

The oblique lateral interbody fusion technique has received increasing attention for the treatment of degenerative disc disease in recent years. A series of complications have been reported, such as vascular injury, sympathetic chain injury, and transient psoas weakness, although it is regarded as a relatively safe technique.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 55-year-old male patient of Han nationality was diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis and underwent standalone oblique lateral interbody fusion surgery under general anethesia. Three days after the operation, subcutaneous gas accumulation appeared in the left lower abdomen of the patient with no inflammatory reaction of the wound. He was treated with conservative management, and the retroperitoneal pneumatosis and subcutaneous emphysema had disappeared completely 1 month later.

CONCLUSIONS

To date, this is the first reported case of retroperitoneal pneumatosis and subcutaneous emphysema related to oblique lateral interbody fusion surgery, which broadens the scope of the complications of oblique lateral interbody fusion surgery.

Progressive subcutaneous emphysema of unknown origin: a surgical dilemma

Objective: Subcutaneous emphysema can be an alarming sign of a necrotizing soft tissue infection. However, non-infectious etiologies exist that can be treated conservatively. This case report describes a subcutaneous emphysema of unknown origin and highlights the importance of distinguishing these clinical entities. Methods: We present a 17-year old female with pain and subcutaneous emphysema of the left arm. There were no systemic symptoms. Inflammatory parameters were slightly elevated. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest excluded intrathoracic abnormalities. Despite antibiotic treatment, the pain increased and the emphysema extended. Necrotizing fasciitis was feared. A surgical exploration was performed and hyperbaric oxygen therapy was started. Results: Intraoperatively, puncture marks were identified on the left arm. Air noticeably escaped, but normal, unaffected tissues were identified and microbiological cultures remained negative. We observed a good clinical evolution. Conclusion: The lack of apparent causes, the unexplained puncture marks and psychiatric comorbidity suggests the possibility of subcutaneous emphysema due to factitious manipulations. Patients with subcutaneous emphysema who remain clinically stable, have minimal pain and no significant inflammatory changes could be treated conservatively. Close clinical monitoring is essential to avoid delayed intervention in case of a necrotizing soft tissue infection.

Subcutaneous emphysema after shoulder arthroscopy. A case report and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Subcutaneous emphysema (SE) and pneumomediastinum are rare complications after shoulder arthroscopy.

CASE REPORT

A case is presented in which SE was seen after arthroscopic cuff repair.

DISCUSSION

A review of current literature shows that SE after shoulder arthroscopy can be due to loco-regional anaesthesiology, endotracheal intubation, gas-forming infection, postoperative mobilisation or the arthroscopic procedure itself. During the procedure air can be sucked into the subacromial space due to suction and subsequently transferred into subcutaneous tissue by the positive pressure of the infusion pump. When the condition is recognised early and addressed properly spontaneous resolving is possible with good clinical outcome.

Misdiagnosed pneumothorax interpreted as necrotizing fasciitis of the chest wall: case report of a potentially preventable death

Background

Subcutaneous emphysema is an uncommon clinical finding associated both with benign sources and potentially deadly necrotizing infections. Wide ranges of causes exist including trauma, iatrogenic injuries, factitious disorders and necrotizing infections.

Case presentation

A 49-year old male presented to the emergency room with extensive subcutaneous emphysema following blunt trauma. The orthopaedic surgery service was consulted for treatment of suspected necrotizing fasciitis due to his subcutaneous emphysema. A careful patient history and physical examination correlated with laboratory and radiographic findings revealed rib fractures and a long-standing, undiagnosed pneumothorax as the cause for emphysema. Treatment of the underlying condition with chest tubes led to eventual resolution of the emphysema, though multisystem organ failure ultimately resulted in patient death.

Conclusion

This case illustrates the importance of rapidly and appropriately evaluating trauma patients, and in this case specifically diagnosing and treating the underlying cause of subcutaneous emphysema. The late diagnosis of pneumothorax resulted in delayed definitive treatment, which may have contributed to the patient’s ultimate demise. In acute and sub-acute trauma situations a high level of suspicion for life threatening injuries must be maintained. Decision making for initial treatment should be based on the basic tenants of Advanced Trauma Life Support to primarily address these injuries and help prevent further disability or death.

Benign subcutaneous emphysema of the upper extremity

Benign subcutaneous emphysema is a rare clinical entity, documented by only a small collection of case reports. The presence of crepitus on physical examination and subcutaneous gas on radiographs is concerning for necrotizing fasciitis. Necrotizing fasciitis is a dangerous and deadly infection accounting for 500 to 1000 cases annually in the United States, with mortality rates of up to 76%. Delay in surgical treatment is related to increased morbidity and mortality; therefore, a high clinical suspicion should be maintained in patients with subcutaneous emphysema and/or crepitus. It is critical to recognize that no laboratory result or radiologic finding should delay surgical intervention if a high clinical suspicion for necrotizing fasciitis exists. However, not all subcutaneous emphysema represents a life-threatening infection. This article presents a case of benign subcutaneous emphysema treated with close observation and prophylactic antibiotics. Patients with necrotizing fasciitis typically appear ill and have the triad of swelling, erythema, and disproportionate pain. Patients who are not systemically ill and have minimal pain, no significant inflammatory changes at the site of crepitus, and stable hemodynamic parameters can be treated conservatively, with the caveat that close clinical monitoring is essential to avoid the unnecessary morbidity and mortality that can result from delaying intervention in the case of necrotizing fasciitis.

[Benign subcutaneous emphysema after nail penetration. Case report and important differential diagnoses]

Crepitus under the skin after penetrating injuries: harmless benign subcutaneous emphysema or life-threatening infection with gas-producing bacteria (gas gangrene because of Clostridium perfringens, crepitating cellulitis because of anaerobic Streptococcus or other coliforme bacteria)? We report a case of a 74-year-old male who developed massive crepitation of the left upper extremity and the lateral thoracic wall and mediastinal emphysema after sustaining a laceration of the left thumb and forefinger from a nail. Because there was the suspicion of gas gangrene we performed generous skin incisions of the ventral and dorsal part of the hand, the forearm and upper arm and open wound treatment. A triple antibiotic therapy was initiated. Due to fast regression of the subcutaneous emphysema and the mediastinal emphysema, continuing lack of symptoms, negative smear test results from the beginning and low infection parameters in the blood all wounds could be closed 9 days after primary surgery. The suspicion of gas gangrene was not confirmed so the diagnosis of benign subcutaneous emphysema was made.