Tracheal necrosis with surgical emphysema following thyroidectomy.
Tracheal necrosis after thyroidectomy is an extremely rare event with only a few published reports. We present a case of a 65-year-old male who developed rapidly progressive surgical emphysema of face and upper thorax on the seventh day following total thyroidectomy. Prompt surgical exploration of neck revealed a tracheal rent at the level of the second tracheal ring. This hole was then refashioned into a formal tracheostomy. Patient had an eventful recovery. Tracheostomy was closed by the 14th day. The complication was probably related to tracheal injury sustained due to electro-coagulation and subsequent secondary infection.
Chauhan
A
A
Department of Surgical Oncology, Army Hospital (R and R), Delhi Cantt, Delhi, India. bolubonkey@rediffmail.com
Ganguly
M
M
Saidha
N
N
Gulia
P
P
D000368:Aged; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D013352:Subcutaneous Emphysema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D013396:Suction / Q000379:methods; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014132:Trachea / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000379:methods