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Management of Complete Cricotracheal Separation: A Case Report From a Level 1 Trauma Center
Madhur Uniyal1, Santhosh Balachandra1, Ruby Kataria1
1Trauma Surgery and Critical Care, AII India Institute of Medical Science - Rishikesh, Rishikesh, IND.
Cureus
|April 21, 2025
Summary
Complete cricotracheal separation is a rare laryngeal trauma. Prompt diagnosis and airway management, including tracheostomy and anastomosis, are crucial for stabilizing severe injuries.
Area of Science:
- Trauma Surgery
- Laryngology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Complete cricotracheal separation is a rare and severe form of laryngeal trauma.
- Limited clinical experience exists for managing this condition.
Observation:
- A patient presented with respiratory distress after an extubation attempt, with subcutaneous emphysema noted.
- CT imaging revealed a distorted cricotracheal framework, suggesting high-grade airway injury.
Findings:
- Surgical exploration revealed complete cricotracheal transection with wide separation of tracheal ends.
- Intraoperative management involved a distal tracheostomy and primary end-to-end anastomosis.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of high clinical suspicion for subtle presentations of laryngeal trauma.
- Effective airway management and early surgical intervention are critical for severe cases.
- Airway devices can play a role in stabilizing patients with significant laryngeal trauma.
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