Case Series of Blowhole Creation with or without Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Severe Subcutaneous Emphysema

Severe subcutaneous emphysema that is refractory to chest tube drainage can result in significant patient discomfort, airway compromise, and hemodynamic instability. Various interventional approaches, including subcutaneous drain insertion and the blowhole technique, with or without negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), have been proposed to manage this condition. In this case series, we describe 10 patients who developed severe subcutaneous emphysema following surgery or pneumothorax and were treated using the blowhole technique, with or without NPWT. A Wound Protector/Retractor XXS or LapProtector was used to maintain the patency of the blowhole, facilitating continuous decompression. In cases with more extensive emphysema, the application of NPWT led to rapid respiratory improvement, thereby enabling additional invasive interventions to address the underlying pulmonary air leak. These findings highlight the potential utility of a structured approach incorporating NPWT for the management of severe subcutaneous emphysema, particularly in cases refractory to conventional chest tube drainage.