Tracheal necrosis with surgical emphysema following thyroidectomy

• Main Authors: Chauhan A, Ganguly M, Saidha N, Gulia P
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2009-01-01
• Series: Journal of Postgraduate Medicine
• Subjects: Surgical emphysema; thyroidectomy; tracheal necrosis
• Online Access: http://www.jpgmonline.com/article.asp?issn=0022-3859;year=2009;volume=55;issue=3;spage=193;epage=195;aulast=Chauhan

Tracheal necrosis after thyroidectomy is an extremely rare event with only a few published reports. We present a case of a 65-year-old male who developed rapidly progressive surgical emphysema of face and upper thorax on the seventh day following total thyroidectomy. Prompt surgical exploration of neck revealed a tracheal rent at the level of the second tracheal ring. This hole was then refashioned into a formal tracheostomy. Patient had an eventful recovery. Tracheostomy was closed by the 14^th day. The complication was probably related to tracheal injury sustained due to electro-coagulation and subsequent secondary infection.