title: Pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema following surgical extraction of mandibular third molars: three case reports.
abstract: Three cases of subcutaneous emphysema following surgical extraction of lower third molars are presented. In two of the cases, pneumomediastinum developed. The direct cause of these complications is the combination of the use of an air turbine dental handpiece and the flap design. The propagation of the emphysema and means for its prevention are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003754:Dental High-Speed Equipment / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004646:Emphysema / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D013352:Subcutaneous Emphysema / Q000209:etiology*; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*