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.