Subcutaneous emphysema of the thorax heralding colonic perforation

Ann Thorac Surg. 2001 Apr;71(4):1341-3. doi: 10.1016/s0003-4975(00)02155-x.

Abstract

Subcutaneous emphysema of the thorax may follow thoracic operations for a number of essentially benign reasons and does not usually cause much concern to the thoracic surgeon. We report subcutaneous emphysema of the thorax heralding a retroperitoneal colonic perforation in a patient who had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting 3 days previously.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Colonic Diseases / complications*
  • Colonic Diseases / diagnosis
  • Colonic Diseases / surgery
  • Coronary Artery Bypass / adverse effects*
  • Coronary Artery Bypass / methods
  • Coronary Disease / surgery
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Disease Progression
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Perforation / complications*
  • Intestinal Perforation / diagnosis
  • Intestinal Perforation / surgery
  • Laparotomy / methods
  • Pneumoperitoneum / diagnosis
  • Pneumoperitoneum / etiology*
  • Pneumoperitoneum / surgery
  • Subcutaneous Emphysema / diagnosis
  • Subcutaneous Emphysema / etiology*
  • Subcutaneous Emphysema / surgery