Fourteen patients with subcutaneous emphysema treated in our department during 17 years were clinically studied. All but one were referred to us by other dentists because of complications. They con sistedof five male and nine female patients. Their ages ranged from 16 to 67 years and 62% of them were in their thirties. The emphysema resulted during sectioning of the mandibular third molar by using an air-turbine handpiece in four patients and from extraction of other teeth in four patients. The use of compressed air during dental procedures was the cause in four patients and the complication was associated with endodontic treatment and implanta tionof a dental implant in the other two patients. A diffuse swelling involving the eyelid, cheek, mandibu larregion and neck accompanied by crepitation on palpation of the swollen area was noted in all patients.Difficulty in opening the eyelid, headache, nausea and mediastinal emphysema were found in four, one, one and one patients, respectively. Antibiotics were given to all patients to prevent infection. Except four one patient with prolonged swelling due to pericoronitis and another patient without adequate information, the swelling with subcutaneous crepitus tended to subside within a week and secondary complications were encountered in no patients.
