title: Cervicofacial Surgical Emphysema following Tonsillectomy.
abstract: We report the case of a patient who developed cervicofacial subcutaneous emphysema following a routine tonsillectomy. An 18-year-old male with swallowing difficulties underwent a tonsillectomy and developed swelling of the right side of his neck and face 36 hours after surgery. A neck X-ray revealed subcutaneous emphysema. Unlike similar previously published cases, there were no postoperative issues of coughing, straining, or use of positive pressure ventilation. The complication also occurred after a considerable length of time. Further complications may include pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum and these should be excluded.
authors.affiliation: ENT Department, Freeman Hospital, Freeman Road, High Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7DN, UK.
authors.forename: Samir
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-9637-8355
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yelnoorkar
authors.affiliation: ENT Department, Freeman Hospital, Freeman Road, High Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7DN, UK.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Issing