Complete traumatic laryngotracheal disruption--a case report and review

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2009 Dec;73(12):1817-20. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2009.08.022. Epub 2009 Oct 9.

Abstract

Blunt neck trauma is an infrequent cause of injury in the pediatric population; however, significant injury is possible even with minor trauma to the neck. The authors present the previously unreported case of a combined laryngotracheal and esophageal disruption as well as a severe laryngeal crush injury in a pediatric patient following a blunt, clothesline neck injury. Immediate management of laryngotracheal or esophageal separation is frequently discussed, but little information exists concerning long-term treatment and management of total laryngotracheal disruption and crush injuries in pediatric patients. A review of the literature is presented to address these concerns.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic
  • Catheterization / methods
  • Child
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Esophagus / injuries*
  • Esophagus / surgery
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Injury Severity Score
  • Laryngoscopy / methods
  • Larynx / injuries*
  • Larynx / surgery
  • Male
  • Multiple Trauma / diagnosis
  • Multiple Trauma / surgery
  • Neck Injuries / etiology
  • Neck Injuries / surgery*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Trachea / injuries*
  • Trachea / surgery
  • Tracheostomy / methods
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vocal Cords / injuries
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / complications*