Efficacy of negative pressure wound therapy blowhole placement in alleviating severe subcutaneous emphysema and associated transient blindness following video-assisted thorascopic surgery: a case series.

Video-assisted thorascopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy is widely used for treating lung cancer, but severe subcutaneous emphysema can be a rare complication, leading to distressing symptoms such as pain, temporary blindness, and voice changes. Traditional management strategies often require prolonged treatment, and blowhole incisions can result in infection and discomfort. This case series explores the use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) applied via a unilateral blowhole incision to treat severe subcutaneous emphysema post-VATS lobectomy. In three cases, NPWT facilitated rapid resolution of pain, restored vision, and resolved voice changes within 8 h. No infection-related complications occurred. This approach not only accelerates recovery and alleviates patient discomfort but also reduces the burden on caregivers and healthcare teams. NPWT should be considered a valuable addition to the management of severe subcutaneous emphysema, improving patient outcomes and enhancing postoperative care.