Surviving Separation: Laryngotracheal Injury in Blunt Neck Trauma-A Case Report and Review

Laryngotracheal trauma is a rare but fatal cause of injury in patients involved in polytrauma. Most patients succumb on site due to airway compromise. Thus, a delay in instituting interventions in such patients often leads to poor outcomes. In the handful that do make it to the hospital, there is a paucity of literature with regard to the optimal management of such conditions. In this case report, we present our management approach and highlight the dangers of dealing with such a case. We present a case of a young Asian male with complete laryngotracheal transection following blunt trauma in a high-speed road traffic accident. Early and accurate diagnosis with expedient management by a multidisciplinary and experienced trauma team is paramount. We also discuss the salient points and pitfalls from initial assessment and stabilization of the patient to the technical details on the definitive management, as well as review the current literature in dealing with such an injury.