Blunt laryngotracheal trauma

Management of blunt trauma to the larynx and trachea is based upon accurate assessment of the anatomic site of the injury, the tissue involved, the time since the injury, and the general status of the patient. Early and orderly diagnosis and classification result in early management, which is essential to maximize function and minimize morbidity. To evaluate the management and treatment results of patients with blunt trauma to the larynx and trachea, a retrospective study was performed. The office charts and hospital records of all patients with blunt trauma to the larynx and trachea from 1966 through 1976 were reviewed. Conditions studied included etiology of the trauma, initial signs and symptoms, pretreatment findings, management (primary and secondary), complications, and long-term results of management. Management results are discussed in comparison with reported results in the literature, and conclusions are presented regarding optimal treatment for the various classes of laryngotracheal injury.