Subcutaneous emphysema secondary to tonsillectomy: a case report

We report a patient in whom subcutaneous emphysema developed shortly after a tonsillectomy. A 55-year-old female with a chronic tonsillitis underwent a tonsillectomy, and about 8 h after surgery complained of swelling to the left side of the face and neck. There was crepitus and local tenderness in the left side of the neck. A CT scan revealed subcutaneous emphysema. The mechanisms underlying emphysema after tonsillectomy are discussed.