Atelectasis and bilateral pneumothorax after bimaxillary orthognathic surgery: A case report and review

Abstract

Respiratory complications after orthognathic surgery are rare but may be life-threatening. Upper airway impairment, atelectasis, pneumonia, pneumomediastinum, and pneumothorax have been reported. This article reports on a 19-year-old woman suffering from atelectasis, pneumomediastinum and a bilateral pneumothorax after bimaxillary surgery. Possible aetiologies for this cascade of complications are volutrauma and/or air dissecting down the cervical fascial planes. The bilateral pneumothorax is preferably treated with the placement of thoracic drains because of the high early success rates. Orthognathic surgeons should be aware of this potentially life-threatening complication. Keywords: Orthognathic surgery, Complications, Atelectasis, Pneumothorax, Pneumomediastinum