Thyrocricotracheal separation with bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve transsection: report of a survivor

Thyrocricotracheal separation is an extremely fatal injury that has not been reported in the literature. Although timely and proper management of this injury is paramount to preserve the patient's life, airway, and voice, its rarity has resulted in a lack of consensus regarding the best management option. We report a case of thyrocricotracheal separation with bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve transsection caused by a self-inflicted injury, which was treated with reanastomosis in conjunction with transverse laser cordotomy. The patient could achieve both decannulation and a serviceable voice and could return to a normal social life. The present case is the first report of a survivor with thyrocricotracheal separation with bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve transsection. This findings show that appropriate management of the airway is the first step to ensure a successful outcome, and a step-by-step approach to detect and manage the associated injuries is paramount in cases showing the most severe form of laryngeal trauma.