Therapeutic Management of Massive Subcutaneous Emphysema, Bilateral Pneumothorax and Pneumomediastinum after Anterior Cordectomy for in situ Vocal Cord Carcinoma - Case Report

We present the case of a 70 year-old smoker patient, who was admitted in hospital for removal of a tumour located on the left vocal cord. After direct suspension laryngoscopy (with tumor biopsy sampling), preliminary histopathological exam revealed an in situ carcinoma. At 2 weeks after histopathological confirmation, the left vocal cord was removed by anterior approach, under general anesthesia. In the first 24 hours after surgery, the patient presented an ischaemic stroke, with a deep coma and left hemiplegia, which necessitated mechanical ventilation and specific neurological treatment. Under mechanical ventilation, the patient developed massive subcutaneous emphysema, bilateral pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum, which required tracheostomy and bilateral pleural drainage, in order to limit suddenly installed respiratory insufficiency. After an 18-day interval of intensive care therapy, the patient was released at home, considered to be surgically cured and had a moderate remaining left brachial monoplegia, which was almost totally cured in the next six months.