What is the preventive approach for subcutaneous emphysema?

• A. Prophylactic steroids
• B. Vaccination
• C. Avoid certain foods
• D. Same as mediastinal emphysema

Answer: (D)

Subcutaneous emphysema happens when air escapes from the lungs or airways into the subcutaneous tissues. The best way to prevent it is to stop the air leak itself, which means avoiding barotrauma and conditions that dramatically raise intrathoracic pressure. In practice, this means using safe ventilation practices and careful management of chest injuries, and in divers, following proper ascent rates and dive procedures to minimize pulmonary overexpansion injuries. Since mediastinal emphysema arises from the same underlying leak, the preventive measures are the same: prevent air from escaping into the lung and chest tissues. Prophylactic steroids, vaccination, or avoiding certain foods do not prevent air leaks and are not relevant preventive strategies.