Pneumomediastinum following anastomotic leakage in colon surgery: A case report and literature review

• Main Author: Omar A Al Obeed
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2014-01-01
• Series: The Saudi Journal of Gastroenterology
• Subjects: Anastomotic leakage; laparoscopic sigmoid resection; pneumomediastinum
• Online Access: http://www.saudijgastro.com/article.asp?issn=1319-3767;year=2014;volume=20;issue=6;spage=383;epage=384;aulast=Al

We are presenting the case of a 62-year-old woman who developed a pneumomediastinum as a complication of anastomotic leakage (AL) following laparoscopic sigmoid resection due to diverticulitis. The patient presented with retroperitoneal air, pneumomediastinum, emphysematous gall bladder, air in the wall of stomach, and proximal small bowel. There were a few tiny air bubbles around the anastomosis. We discuss this unusual clinical presentation of intraperitoneal and extraperitoneal air as a presenting sign of AL.