Laryngotracheal trauma: its management and sequelae

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Trauma Surgery
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Laryngotracheal trauma is a rare but significant injury with frequent complications.
• Effective management requires early recognition, accurate evaluation, and prompt treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review past experiences with external laryngotracheal injuries.
• To refine management strategies based on case analysis.
• To assess the impact of injury and treatment on voice and airway outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 15 patients with external laryngotracheal injuries.
• Assessment of short-term and long-term outcomes related to voice and airway.
• Correlation of presenting symptoms with injury severity.

Main Results:

• Cut throat injuries and road traffic accidents were the most common causes.
• Hoarseness, hemoptysis, odynophagia, and stridor were key presenting symptoms.
• Major laryngeal injuries (10 cases) were more frequent than minor ones (5 cases); hemoptysis and stridor indicated greater severity.
• Good airway and voice outcomes were achieved in 12 patients, while 3 had poor outcomes, often linked to delayed surgical intervention.

Conclusions:

• Stridor and hemoptysis are strong indicators of major laryngotracheal injury.
• Early surgical intervention is recommended for all major injuries to optimize outcomes.
• Timely treatment is critical for achieving good functional results in patients with laryngotracheal trauma.