Intraoperative Subcutaneous Emphysema.

The first hiatal hernia repair using a laparoscopic technique was performed in 1946 by the famous surgeon Rudolf Nissen. 1 Laparoscopic surgery is frequently the preferred alternative to laparotomy due to its benefits. Laparoscopic technique provides less risk for postoperative pain, shorter hospitalization, decreased risk of hemorrhage, and the cosmetic benefit of less cutaneous scarring. Nonetheless, laparoscopy requires the creation of a pneumoperitoneum using CO₂ insufflation resulting in potential complications. Insufflation resulting in subcutaneous emphysema has an occurrence rate of 0.43% to 2.3% and the potentially severe complication of pneumothorax formation. 2 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]