[A case of wide-spread emphysema following the extraction of mandibular third molar under intravenous sedation].

: A 45 year-old male underwent lower left third molar extraction under intravenous sedation. During the surgical extraction of the mandibular left impacted third molar using a high-speed air-turbine drill, the patient complained of compression at the level of the right breast without any abnormal vital signs. Radiological investigation and CT scan showed a picture of bilateral, subcutaneous and mediastinal emphysema involving the bilateral face, neck and pectoral area. Following the antibiotic therapy, the drainage was performed through bilateral pectoral incisions by thoracic surgery. The patient recovered within two days and underwent the completion of this surgery under general anesthesia one month later.