1997 Volume 19 Issue 3 Pages 215-218
A 66-year-old woman, who had received medication for chronic articular rheumatism including 3mg/day prednisolone since 1973, underwent total hip joint replacement under general anesthesia on July 6, 1994. After the operation, marked subcutaneous emphysema and dyspnea occurred. Bronchoscopic findings revealed a laceration of the membranous portion of the middle portion of the trachea. Intermittent suction of the subcutaneous emphysema was performed using 16 gauge needles, but the emphysema did not improve. On the fifth postoperative day, direct closure of the laceration was carried out with placement of a pedicled intercostal muscle flap. The postoperative course was uneventful.
