Subcutaneous Emphysema in COVID-19 Managed with Surgical Tracheostomy: A Case Series

Abstract

Background:The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a multi-system infection which predominantly affects the respiratory system. Subcutaneous emphysema with or without pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax been recently reported as an unusual complication in cases of severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Case presentation:We report three cases of COVID-19 pneumonia complicated by subcutaneous emphysema with all cases showed resolution of emphysema with chest tube followed by tracheostomy. Conclusion:Due to growing number of cases that developed coronavirus infection associated with subcutaneous emphysema, this approach can be considered in treating such condition. However, the timing and efficacy of tracheostomy in COVID-19 patient with subcutaneous emphysema still remain elusive and more studies are needed to confirm the role of tracheostomy in managing subcutaneous emphysema.