Ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery
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Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg · Nov 2005
Case ReportsSevere subcutaneous emphysema following orbital blowout fracture.
A 19-year-old man sustained a blowout fracture to the left orbital floor. Subcutaneous emphysema developed after a protracted sneezing episode. Some signs of respiratory distress ensued, and the patient was emergently intubated. ⋯ The left nasal cavity was packed and the emphysema slowly resolved. Clinically significant subcutaneous emphysema is an uncommon complication of orbital blowout fracture. Informing the patient to avoid excessive nose-blowing and to avoid occluding the nose while sneezing may prevent this complication.