Pneumomediastinum, bilateral pneumothorax, pleural effusion, and surgical emphysema after routine apicectomy caused by vomiting.

Mediastinal and subcutaneous emphysema may occur after dental and oral surgery as a result of iatrogenic introduction of air or injury to the tracheobronchial tree. We report a patient who developed emphysema and pneumothorax after dentoalveolar surgery, which made diagnosis and management difficult. We suggest that persistent postoperative vomiting caused inhalation of mediastinal and intrathoracic air.