SUBCUTANEOUS EMPHYSEMA FOLLOWING THE REMOVAL OF A LOWER WISDOM TOOTH

Abstract

Rosenbaum 1 recently reported a case of subcutaneous emphysema following a tonsillectomy. In the case here reported, a similar condition followed the removal of a lower wisdom tooth. I removed the lower left third molar in a woman, aged 65. The operation was done under local anesthesia, the inferior dental nerve being blocked at the inferior dental foramen, and 3 c.c. of a 2 per cent. procain-epinephrin solution being used. The tooth, having three distinct roots (a rarity in itself), was removed with considerable difficulty. The distobuccal root fractured during the delivery of the tooth, necessitating the removal of a portion of the outer alveolar plate in order to remove the fractured fragment. The wound was irrigated and dressed with iodoform gauze. The patient left the office feeling perfectly well. About two hours later she returned with the cheek and neck on the left side swollen, but not painful. On