Pneumomediastinum surgery

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Trusha Tank, M.D.[2]

Overview

Pneumomediastinum is considered a benign condition and does not require surgical intervention in uncomplicated cases. Surgical treatment varies from minor skin incision or chest tube drainage to major VATS (Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or thoracotomy depending on the amount and location of air present in the mediastinum.

Pneumomediastinum is considered a benign condition and does not require surgical intervention in uncomplicated cases.
In case of malignant pneumomediastinum:^[1]^[2]
In case of subcutaneous emphysema: Skin incision
Pneumothorax: Chest tube drainage

↑ Macia I, Moya J, Ramos R, Morera R, Escobar I, Saumench J, Perna V, Rivas F (June 2007). “Spontaneous pneumomediastinum: 41 cases”. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 31 (6): 1110–4. doi:10.1016/j.ejcts.2007.03.008. PMID 17420139.
↑ Perna V, Vilà E, Guelbenzu JJ, Amat I (March 2010). “Pneumomediastinum: is this really a benign entity? When it can be considered as spontaneous? Our experience in 47 adult patients”. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 37 (3): 573–5. doi:10.1016/j.ejcts.2009.08.002. PMID 19748792.