Laparoscopy, surgical emphysema and ECG voltage

Subcutaneous emphysema associated with chest tube drainage

“…Apart from the distressing cosmetic deformity, SE can lead to upper airway obstruction, 6 acute respiratory failure due to chest wall compression, 4,5 intracranial hypertension, 7 circulatory collapse in association with tension pneumomediastinum, 8 and pacemaker malfunction 9 . It can also lead to difficulties in the interpretation of chest radiographs, echocardiography, ultrasound, 10 and electrocardiograms 11 …”

“…9 It can also lead to difficulties in the interpretation of chest radiographs, echocardiography, ultrasound, 10 and electrocardiograms. 11 This retrospective study has identified several important and potentially remediable factors in the association between SE and chest tube drainage. Inadequate placement, migration and blockage of chest tubes resulted in a number of cases of SE.…”