RELIEF OF TENSION SUBCUTANEOUS EMPHYSEMA USING A LARGE-BORE SUBCUTANEOUS DRAIN

We report a case of subcutaneous emphysema following multiple attempts to cannulate both subclavian veins for pacemaker insertion. Initial b ilateral pneumothoraces were complicated by subcutaneous emphysema whi ch became so severe that respiration and cardiac output became serious ly impaired. The insertion of a single large bore subcutaneous drain p roduced a dramatic improvement. The aetiology, complications and manag ement of tension subcutaneous emphysema are discussed.