Title: Pneumopericardium and Severe Subcutaneous Emphysema after Laparoscopic Operation for an Adnexal Mass
Abstract: Study Objective: To report a case of severe subcutaneous emphysema with pneumopericardium that was observed during laparoscopic adnexectomy for a borderline tumor. Design: Case report. Setting: Medical center and a teaching hospital. Patients: A 29 year old female with ruptured ovarian cyst (later diagnosed as borderline tumor after frozen section) who underwent unilateral adnexectomy and appendectomy and later complained of severe chest pain and abnormal ECG due to severe subcutaneous emphysema and pneumopericardium. Intervention: Ultrasonography, laparoscopic unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, appendectomy then supportive treatment of the severe subcutaneous emphysema and penumopericardium. Measurements and Main Results: Severe subcutaneous emphysema and pneumopericardium, a rare complication of laparoscopic surgery was diagnosed by chest radiography and managed expectantly. Conclusion: Surgeons should be aware of he possibility of pneumopericardium when patients present with chest pain and ECG abnormalities after laparoscopic procedure.