Table 1 Summarizes the cases of respiratory complications following shoulder arthroscopy

Uslu,

Ahmed, et al. [3]

23

Rotator cuff injury

General

Non mentioned

Arthroscopic

rotator cuff repair

subcutaneous emphysema, pneumothorax

and pneumomediastinum

6 h after surgery/Gradually resolved

the pleural and alveolar trauma, the endotracheal intubation or extravasation of irrigation fluid during shoulder arthroscopy

Cassone, Marc A, et al.  [14]

60

Rotator cuff injury

General

Lateral decubital

Arthroscopic

rotator cuff repair

pneumothorax

3 h after surgery/Chest tube

-

Giri, Padmini, et al. [18]

59

Rotator cuff injury

regional nerve block

Non mentioned

Arthroscopic

rotator cuff repair

Pneumothorax, substantial subcutaneous emphysema

of the neck and pneumomediastinum

A few hours after surgery/Chest tube

This can be related to the surgical methodology and subacromial distention used during the procedure

Shariyate, Mohammad J, et al. [17]

61

Massive rotator cuff tear

General

Beach chair

Shoulder arthroscopy/Rotator cuff repair

associated with subcutaneous emphysema which expands to both the neck and the face

4 h after surgery /Chest tube

Three possible causes: the use of intra-articular shaving/related to general anesthesia/patient factors

Leander-Olsson et al. [20]

72

Fracture in fossa glenoidale and partial ruptures in subscapularis and supraspinatus.

Combined interscalene block with ultrasound guidance and general

Beach chair

Arthroscopic rotator cuff and fossa glenoidale fracture repair

Large pneumothorax and extensive subcutaneous emphysema

3 h after surgery/Chest-drain

Causes related to upper extremity block, general anesthesia, surgical procedure and patient factors

Bamps et al. [12]

42

Non mentioned

General

Lateral decubital

Diagnostic shoulder arthroscopy

Pneumothorax

10 h after surgery Chest tube

Rupture of parietal pleura, related to the surgical methodology (portal placement and continuous pump infusion with intermittent suction) and subacromial distention used during the procedure

Dietzel and Ciullo[10]

38

SLAP lesion

General

Lateral decubital

Shoulder arthroscopy/SLAP lesion debridement, and repair

Pneumothorax

The second day after surgery /Chest tube

Rupture of a bleb or bullae, associated with positive-pressure ventilation and underlying history of heavy smoking, asthma, or underlying lung disease.

22

Electrocution dislocation/SLAP lesion

General

Lateral decubital

Shoulder arthroscopy/SLAP lesion debridement, and repair

Pneumothorax

The morning after /Chest tube

37

Motor vehicle accident/labral tear

General

Lateral decubital

Labral tear’s debridement, subacromial decompression with acromioplasty

Pneumothorax

The morning after /Chest tube

34

Labral tear

General

Lateral decubital

Labral tear repair, subacromial decompression, imbrication of rotator cuff

Pneumothorax

In the recovery room after surgery /Chest tube

Lee et al. [11]

45

Impingement syndrome

General

Beach chair

Arthroscopic subacromial decompression

Bilateral pneumothorax, extensive subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum

immediately /Chest tubes bilaterally

Transitional changes regarding the subacromial pressure’s values compared to the atmospheric ones, result in air’s insertion in the subacromial space via lateral portal. When the power shaver, connected to a suction device, stops working, the pressure in pump infusion becomes positive dispersing the air in the surrounding tissues, thus creating subcutaneous emphysema.

43

Impingement syndrome

General

Beach chair

Arthroscopic subacromial decompression

Extensive subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum

Shortly after surgery /Chest tubes bilaterally

40

Impingement syndrome

General

Beach chair

Arthroscopic subacromial decompression

Tension pneumothorax with extensive subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum.

Before the surgery is over /Chest tube