An unusual case of surgical emphysema.
A 64-year-old man underwent laryngectomy, partial pharyngectomy and right block dissection of the neck for a squamous cell carcinoma of the right pyriform fossa with an involved right neck node. He had received pre-operative radiotherapy. The operation was uneventful. A 'Drevac' wound drainage system (Astra Meditec) was inserted in each side of the neck.
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D004646:Emphysema / Q000209:etiology*; D004869:Equipment Safety; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D013352:Subcutaneous Emphysema / Q000209:etiology*; D013396:Suction / Q000009:adverse effects