TY - JOUR T1 - Pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema during laparoscopy JF - Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine JO - Cleve Clin J Med SP - 639 LP - 642 VL - 57 IS - 7 AU - Santosh B. Kalhan AU - John A. Reaney AU - Robert L. Collins Y1 - 1990/10/01 UR - http://www.ccjm.org/content/57/7/639.abstract N2 - 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. ER -