Massive surgical emphysema during laparoscopic surgery

A case of massive surgical emphysema [SE] during laparoscopic indirect inguinal hernia repair is reported. The complication was undetected intra operatively in spite of increase in EtCO[2] level. Common potential causes of increase in EtCO[2] were looked for and were ruled out. The diagnosis was made only at the end of surgery. With aggressive postoperative management in surgical ICU the patient made good recovery