Incidence of subcutaneous emphysema in the head, neck and thoracic region of intubated covid-19 patients: Our experiences

Abstract

Background: The current global pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) is a threat to the lives of the millions of people worldwide. A high number of patients with COVID-19 infections lead to pneumonia or respiratory compromise and followed by undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation. The invasive ventilation may cause barotrauma and further cause pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema in the head, neck and chest region. Objective: To assess the surgical emphysema in the head, neck and thoracic region of the intubated COVID-19 patients. Methods: In this retrospective study, clinical and imaging data of the COVID-19 patients with invasive ventilation and development of the subcutaneous emphysema were studied between March 2020 and September 2020. There were 262 patients files were evaluated those were under mechanical ventilation at the intensive care unit (ICU) of COVID-19 hospital. Results: A total of 262 patients with COVID-19 patients underwent invasive mechanical ventilation. Out of them, 38 patients presented with surgical emphysema in the head, neck and chest region. The mean age of the participating patient was 62 year ±14 (standard deviation). Out of the 38 patients, 26(68.42%) were male and 12 female (31.57%) with male to female ratio of 2.16:1. Conclusion: Patients with COVID-19 infections with invasive mechanical ventilation have a high chance of the barotrauma. The development of the barotrauma in the lungs may lead to pneumothorax and surgical emphysema in the head, neck and chest region.