title: Facial subcutaneous emphysema after tonsillectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tonsillectomy is a commonly performed and relatively safe surgical procedure. However, it can potentially be associated with several complications. We report a case of facial subcutaneous emphysema that occurred after elective tonsillectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tonsillectomy was performed on a patient with a history of frequent tonsillitis. After surgery, the patient developed facial subcutaneous emphysema that resolved within a few days without any further complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subcutaneous emphysema is a rare complication of tonsillectomy. Tonsil should be removed along the tonsilar capsule. If its removal causes a deeper than usual mucosal tear up to the level of the muscles, then air might potentially pass through the pharyngeal wall to the parapharyngeal, retropharyngeal and prevertebral spaces.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University Hospital of Tampere, Tampereen yliopistollinen sairaala, PL 2000, Tampere 33521, Finland. arbizaki@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Argyro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bizaki
authors.forename: Janne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kääriäinen
authors.forename: Teemu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Harju
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rautiainen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013352:Subcutaneous Emphysema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000401:mortality; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000601:surgery*
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