How I Manage Sports Injuries to the Larynx

In brief: Laryngeal trauma resulting in structural damage and/or laryngospasm with compromised airway is one of the true emergencies faced by team physicians and trainers. These care givers should be familiar with the anatomy and signs and symptoms of laryngeal injury and be prepared to deal with them. Most laryngeal injuries respond well to straightening the airway and firmly moving the chin forward with pressure behind angles of the jaw to relieve laryngospasm. Reassuring the patient is important. When airway obstruction is persistent, artificial airways may most easily be established by cricothyreotomy or needle jet cricothyreotomy. All laryngeal injuries should have immediate laryngoscopy to fully evaluate the degree of injury.