Journal of Nippon Medical School: Vol.71 No.2 page.111

Journal of Nippon Medical School

Select Language
in Japanese < > in English

Full Text of this Article

in English PDF (40K)

ArticleTitle Subcutaneous Emphysema after Tonsillectomy: A Case Report

AuthorList Ken-ichi Watanabe, Mayumi Kunitomo, Yoko Yamauchi, Maki Kimura, Satoru Masuno, Hideharu Aoki and Toshiaki Yagi

Affiliation Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Nippon Medical School

Language EN

Volume 71

Issue 2

Year 2004

Page 111-113

Received February 17, 2003

Accepted September 3, 2003

Keywords tonsillitis, tonsillectomy, subcutaneous emphysema

Abstract
We experienced a case of a subcutaneous emphysema after tonsillectomy. The patient, a 24-year-old man, complained of a recurrent sore throat and was diagnosed as having chronic tonsillitis. Pre-operative general examinations revealed no abnormalities. The operation was carried out under general anesthesia. The adhesions between the tonsils and the surrounding tissues were moderate. The bi-lateral tonsils were easily removed. The recovery period was uneventful. On the next morning, marked swelling of the left cheek and submandibular area was noted. On palpation, there was a characteristic crepitation and softness in these areas. The X-ray examination revealed subcutaneous emphysema. There was no finding of airway obstruction. We diagnosed him as having a subcutaneous emphysema and administered antibiotics for 5 days. From clinical findings, the subcutaneous emphysema was thought to be caused by surgical rather than anesthetic factors. The subcutaneous emphysema gradually disappeared. One year after the tonsillectomy, the patient is under observation as an outpatient and is free from any abnormal symptoms. To avoid this kind of complication, we should pay attention to carefully separate the tonsil from its fossa and to make appropriate selection of surgical equipments.

Correspondence to Correspondence to Ken-ichi Watanabe, M.D., Ph. D., Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Nippon Medical School, 1-396 Kosugi-cho, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 211-8533, Japan
bxp02646@nifty.ac.jp

ArticleTitle	Subcutaneous Emphysema after Tonsillectomy: A Case Report
AuthorList	Ken-ichi Watanabe, Mayumi Kunitomo, Yoko Yamauchi, Maki Kimura, Satoru Masuno, Hideharu Aoki and Toshiaki Yagi
Affiliation	Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Nippon Medical School
Language	EN
Volume	71
Issue	2
Year	2004
Page	111-113
Received	February 17, 2003
Accepted	September 3, 2003
Keywords	tonsillitis, tonsillectomy, subcutaneous emphysema
Abstract	We experienced a case of a subcutaneous emphysema after tonsillectomy. The patient, a 24-year-old man, complained of a recurrent sore throat and was diagnosed as having chronic tonsillitis. Pre-operative general examinations revealed no abnormalities. The operation was carried out under general anesthesia. The adhesions between the tonsils and the surrounding tissues were moderate. The bi-lateral tonsils were easily removed. The recovery period was uneventful. On the next morning, marked swelling of the left cheek and submandibular area was noted. On palpation, there was a characteristic crepitation and softness in these areas. The X-ray examination revealed subcutaneous emphysema. There was no finding of airway obstruction. We diagnosed him as having a subcutaneous emphysema and administered antibiotics for 5 days. From clinical findings, the subcutaneous emphysema was thought to be caused by surgical rather than anesthetic factors. The subcutaneous emphysema gradually disappeared. One year after the tonsillectomy, the patient is under observation as an outpatient and is free from any abnormal symptoms. To avoid this kind of complication, we should pay attention to carefully separate the tonsil from its fossa and to make appropriate selection of surgical equipments.
Correspondence to	Correspondence to Ken-ichi Watanabe, M.D., Ph. D., Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Nippon Medical School, 1-396 Kosugi-cho, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 211-8533, Japan bxp02646@nifty.ac.jp