Treatment of recalcitrant subcutaneous emphysema using negative pressure wound therapy dressings. (9th November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Towe, Christopher; Solomon, Brian; Donington, Jessica S; Pass, Harvey I
• Is Part Of: BMJ case reports. Volume 2014
• Publication Date: 2014-11-09
• Subjects: Medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2014-205577
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-790X

Abstract

Abstract : Subcutaneous emphysema frequently occurs after pulmonary resection, but is usually mild and self-limiting. Patients can, however, develop severe symptomatic subcutaneous emphysema despite adequate thoracic drainage. There is a paucity of efficacious treatments for subcutaneous emphysema that does not respond to chest tube drainage. Previous reports have suggested that thoracoscopy may be an efficacious treatment, but is unfavourable due to the risks associated with reoperation. We present a case of a patient who developed severe subcutaneous emphysema after pulmonary lobectomy that was quickly and effectively treated using a commercially available negative pressure wound therapy dressing.