This case report presents a 65-year-old woman with multiple complications during a revision tracheotomy including subcutaneous emphysema and a pneumothorax. Management of her airway was complicated by a history of recurrent follicular B-cell lymphoma associated with extensive cervical lymphadenopathy. We detail the importance of heightened clinical awareness and the use of intraoperative safety adjuncts when performing revision tracheostomies.
Keywords: airway management; head and neck cancer; open surgical tracheostomy; percutaneous tracheostomy; pneumothorax; revision tracheostomy; subcutaneous emphysema; tracheostomy.