PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Santosh B. Kalhan AU - John A. Reaney AU - Robert L. Collins TI - Pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema during laparoscopy DP - 1990 Oct 01 TA - Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine PG - 639--642 VI - 57 IP - 7 4099 - http://www.ccjm.org/content/57/7/639.short 4100 - http://www.ccjm.org/content/57/7/639.full SO - Cleve Clin J Med1990 Oct 01; 57 AB - Laparoscopy, with the use of carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide for insufflation, is a common procedure with the potential for several major complications. For example, pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax, and subcutaneous emphysema can occur singly or in any combination with this procedure. The authors report a patient in whom pneumomediastinum and massive subcutaneous emphysema developed without pneumothorax. Possible mechanisms are presented, along with discussion of the need for prompt diagnosis and termination of the procedure with deflation of the abdomen. The life-threatening potential of this complication is emphasized.