[Successfully treated case of cervical trachea injury caused by suicide]

A 52-year-old man stabbed in his neck and abdomen by a kitchen knife for the purpose of suicide. He was immediately transferred by ambulance car. Subcutaneous emphysema was not observed. Stabbed wounds were observed in the neck and the abdomen. Radiography and computed tomography showed subcutaneous and mediastinal emphysema. The patient was diagnosed as having trachea injury. After admission, emphysema progressed rapidly and respiratory distress appeared. The patient was orally intubated and emergency surgery was performed. The stabbed wound was found to extend to thyroid grand and cricotracheal ligament. After thyroidectomy, the injured trachea was repaired primarily. The course of the patient was almost uneventful, and was discharged on the 23th operative day. He was diagnosed as having alcoholism by a psychiatrist. The patient died due to suicide by hanging 16 months after surgery. Orotracheal intubation and primary suture were effective in a patient with trachea injury. Prevention of suicide is also important after leaving hospital in patients with history of suicide.