Upper airway obstruction as a result of massive subcutaneous emphysema following accidental removal of an intercostal drain.

Williams, D J; Jaggar, S I; Morgan, C J · Br J Anaesth · 2005

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

A case is described of extensive subcutaneous emphysema with rapid and life-threatening airway obstruction. The incident followed inadvertent removal of a chest drain in a patient with a persistent air leak from an iatrogenic pneumothorax. The pneumothorax had developed during pacemaker insertion.

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