Korean J Anesthesiol.  1997 Aug;33(2):376-380. 10.4097/kjae.1997.33.2.376.

Subcutaneous Emphysema and Hypercarbia Following Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy by Increased Intraabdominal Pressure: A case report

• Kim JK
• Ryu SJ
• Park SH
• Kim KH
• Jang TH
• Kim SH

• KMID: 2091144
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.1997.33.2.376

Abstract

Subcutaneous emphysema is a complication of the pneumoperitoneum necessary to perform laparoscopy and will be seen more often as laparoscopic techniques are applied to a growing number of intraabdominal procedures. We report a case of subcutaneous emphysema and hypercarbia without pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which was treated by multiple puncture with 18G needle on emphysematous site. The suspected cause is inadvertent subcutaneous insufflation of carbon dioxide through the trocar sites by increased intra-abdominal pressure for the establishment of pneumoperitoneum. Immediate recognition, evaluation, and treatment of subcutaneous emphysema is necessary since this can be life-threatening complication.

Keyword

Complications, emphysema; surgery, laparoscopic cholecystectomy

MeSH Terms

Carbon Dioxide
Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic*
Insufflation
Laparoscopy
Mediastinal Emphysema
Needles
Pneumoperitoneum
Pneumothorax
Punctures
Subcutaneous Emphysema*
Surgical Instruments
Carbon Dioxide