Delayed Complication of Tracheocutaneous Fistula Closure with Severe Compromising Subcutaneous Emphysema

Overview

Journal BMJ Case Rep

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2019 Jun 24

PMID 31229983

Citations 2

Authors

Robert J Lewis

Ari G Mandler

Geovanny Perez

Pamela A Mudd

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

We report a significant complication after tracheocutaneous fistula (TCF) excision with closure by secondary intention in a 4-year-old boy who had been tracheostomy dependent since infancy. He had a persistent 3 mm TCF one year after decannulation. On postoperative day 2 the patient developed profound subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum. He was extubated after 2 days and discharged from the hospital on postoperative day 7. At follow up he had complete resolution of subcutaneous emphysema and complete closure of the TCF. The main methods of TCF closure and management of subcutaneous emphysema are discussed along with the lessons learned from this case.

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