Authors: Anas Boulemden Paul Aifesehi Arun Pajaniappane Kelvin Lau Amrita Bajaj Apostolos Nakas David A Waller Sridhar Rathinam
Publish Date: 2013/09/05
Volume: 61, Issue: 12, Pages: 707-710
Abstract
Extensive surgical subcutaneous emphysema ESE albeit a benign condition could cause patients distress and in many cases temporary vision impairment We describe the role and value of early subcutaneous drain insertion SCD in the management of ESE and patients’ experience in this cohort studyExtensive surgical subcutaneous emphysema is that which extends to the neck and/or the periorbital region A cohort study of a prospectively collected data was conducted between December 2009 and January 2012 All patients with extensive postoperative surgical emphysema who had SCD size ≥24 French gauge were included1069 thoracic procedures were performed 21 patients 196 were diagnosed with extensive surgical emphysema there were 16 males median age was 65 54–82 years There were 16 VATS and 5 open procedures All patients had chest surgical emphysema 16 patients had periorbital and neck swelling and 5 had neck swelling Surgical emphysema occurred within a median of 3 days postoperatively 14 67 patients had 1 subcutaneous drain inserted and 7 33 had bilateral SCD insertion 1 drain each side 19 90 patients experienced improvement of their symptoms with resolution of neck and periorbital swelling within 1 day of SCD insertion 2 patients had their symptoms improved within 2 days All patients were satisfied with the outcome following insertion of SCD
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