The Treatment of Acute External Laryngotracheal Injuries

Tae, Kyung; Jeong, Jin Seok; Park, In Beom; Cho, Seok Hyun; Lee, Seung Hwan; Lee, Hyung Seok

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Acute laryngotracheal injury is uncommon but can be a life-threatening event and often poses as a difficult airway management problem. Therefore, the immediate recognition and appropriate initial assessment and treatment are vital for a successful outcome. We performed this study to evaluate an appropriate management of acute laryngotracheal injury patients. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Twenty-two patients with acute external laryngotracheal injury who underwent conservative treatment or surgery from 1998 to 2003 were evaluated. The record of patients were reviewed retrospectively. These patients have been studied with attention to clinical symptoms, sign, injury mechanism, injury site, degree of injury, treatment and outcome after the treatment. RESULTS: Sixteen cases were categorized as blunt trauma and the other six cases as penetrating trauma. The main symptoms and signs were dyspnea and hoarseness. Common sites of injury were laryngeal mucosa, thyroid cartilage and trachea. The patients in group I, II were treated conservatively mainly and those in group III, IV, V were mainly treated surgically. All patients were decannulated. Sixteen patients made a full return to normal voice, and six were assessed fair. CONCLUSION: The immediate recognition of acute external laryngotracheal injury and early proper treatment are vital for life and successful outcome.