Tension Subcutaneous Emphysema during Laparoscopic Surgery Treatment of Colon Cancer: A Case Report

Abstract

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) insufflation is now essential for most endoscopic surgeries, such as abdominal, pelvic, and neck endoscopic surgery. It is not uncommon for CO₂ leaks to occur unintentionally into subcutaneous tissue, later diffusing into a patient's bloodstream and resulting in hypercarbia. Regardless of the etiology of subcutaneous emphysema, a similar clinical management is required. Herein, we report on a case of tension subcutaneous emphysema and subsequent fatal ventilatory failure due to massive subcutaneous emphysema during laparoscopy. A timely blowhole incision is an effective intervention in an emergent setting like this case, although the patient had endotracheal intubation.

Keywords

tension subcutaneous emphysema - hypercarbia - blowhole incision

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