Sally Kellerman. (Reuters file photo)

M*A*S*H star Sally Kellerman has been forced to pull out of a promotional trip to New York after waking on Friday with a swollen face.

The actress was set to board a plane from Los Angeles but airline staff urged her to reschedule her plans and check into a hospital instead.

A spokeswoman for the 73-year-old star, who played Hot Lips O'Houlihan in the 1970 movie, tells WENN, "She was told told by the airline that she couldn't fly because the altitude would make the swelling worse.

"An ambulance came to LAX and she was taken to the hospital. It is uncertain why her face swelled up, possibly from recent dental surgery. It's a serious infection and she's very upset."

It is not known if planned promotional work for Kellerman's upcoming CD, Sally, will be effected by her health crisis.

She was scheduled to attend the Film Society of Lincoln Center's screening of her 1970 movie M*A*S*H on Saturday. Co-star Elliot Gould is still scheduled to attend.