Delayed cervical emphysema after thyroidectomy: a case report and a literature overview

Abstract

Thyroidectomy is a surgery performed due to both benign and malign diseases in the thyroid. The overall complication rate is low, where most of them will appear within the first 24 hours after surgery. However, severe complications can occur as late as 14 days postsurgery. A woman in her late 30’s underwent total thyroidectomy due to Graves' disease. There were no complications until she presented with swelling on her neck 10 days after surgery. She was diagnosed with cervical emphysema and treated with a controlled negative pressure drain until there was no more air leakage. We assumed that the emphysema was due to an occult injury of the trachea. Urgent evaluation and hospitalization are needed if the patient presents with swelling in the neck after thyroidectomy. Surgeons should be aware of this delayed complication, so they are able to inform and manage their patients accordingly.