gms | German Medical Science

GMS Current Posters in Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie e.V. (DGHNOKHC)

ISSN 1865-1038

To operate or not to operate

Poster Varia

Suche in Medline nach

GMS Curr Posters Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2011;7:Doc59

doi: 10.3205/cpo000648, urn:nbn:de:0183-cpo0006483

Veröffentlicht: 14. April 2011

© 2011 Bardanis.
Dieser Artikel ist ein Open Access-Artikel und steht unter den Creative Commons Lizenzbedingungen (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/deed.de). Er darf vervielfältigt, verbreitet und öffentlich zugänglich gemacht werden, vorausgesetzt dass Autor und Quelle genannt werden.


Gliederung

Abstract

Introduction – Objective: Though not long ago the management of choice of upper aerodigestive tract perforations was the surgical one [1], currently the nonoperative management is also advocated [2], [3]. This study aims at presenting a case report of pneumopericardium combined with pneumomediastinum.

Case report: A 27 year-old man visited the outpatient ward of our hospital suffering from sore throat and chest pain after diving. Neck crepitance was palpated, while in indirect laryngoscopy a tiny laceration was observed subglottically. In the plain X-ray films air was observed in most areas of the neck, in mediastinum and in pericardium. Pneumothorax was not observed. The patient was administered high concentration of oxygen plus antibiotics intravenously. No longer than six days later without any surgical intervention all findings disappeared.

Instead of conclusion: A surgeon is a doctor who knows how to operate. A good surgeon is one who knows when to operate. The best surgeon is the one who knows when not to operate.


References

1.
Shockley WW, Tate JL, Stucker FJ. Management of perforations of the hypopharynx and cervical esophagus. Laryngoscope. 1985;95(8):939-41. DOI: 10.1288/00005537-198508000-00011 Externer Link
2.
Dolgin SR, Wykoff TW, Kumar NR, Maniglia AJ. Conservative medical management of traumatic pharyngoesophageal perforations. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1992;101(3):209-15.
3.
Goudy SL, Miller FB, Bumpous JM. Neck crepitance: Evaluation and management of suspected upper aerodigestive tract injury. Laryngoscope. 2002;112(5):791-5. DOI: 10.1097/00005537-200205000-00005 Externer Link