Successful management of an unstable paediatric laryngeal injury in a low-resource setting

E Watts1, L Little1, J Bewick2

  • 1Department of Surgery, Hopitaly Vaovao Mahafaly (The Good News Hospital), Mandritsara, Madagascar.

Tropical Doctor
|January 19, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric laryngeal trauma, though rare, can be fatal. This case highlights successful management of severe laryngeal injury in a child, including emergency tracheostomy and surgical repair, leading to full recovery.

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Trauma Management

Background:

  • Laryngeal injuries are infrequent in children compared to adults, influenced by behavioral and anatomical factors.
  • Severe laryngeal trauma necessitates advanced interventions like surgical repair, intensive care, and tracheostomy, posing challenges in resource-limited settings.

Observation:

  • A pediatric case of severe laryngeal trauma was successfully managed.
  • The management involved emergency tracheostomy, open repair of a thyroid cartilage fracture, and tracheal stenting.

Findings:

  • The child underwent successful surgical repair and tracheal stenting for laryngeal trauma.
  • Decannulation was achieved 8 weeks post-injury, with the patient experiencing a full recovery.

Implications:

  • This case demonstrates the feasibility of managing severe pediatric laryngeal trauma even in challenging environments.
  • Successful outcomes underscore the importance of timely and comprehensive surgical intervention for pediatric laryngeal injuries.

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