[External laryngeal injuries. Study of 12 cases]

Laryngeal trauma can cause severe, life-threatening damage in the upper respiratory tract. Management of trauma presents difficulties with respect to airway control and the procedural decisions are challenging. We studied 12 patients treated at our hospital after laryngeal trauma of various degrees of severity. Respiratory failure detected in some cases was critical from the moment of trauma, whereas other patients were asymptomatic at first but experienced progressive respiratory failure over the next few hours. We looked at the method applied to gain initial control of the upper airway and also considered the laryngeal lesions themselves, associated lesions and established treatment. We then looked for relationships between these and evolution and laryngeal sequelae 6 months after trauma. In agreement with other studies we found that the severity of sequelae depends on the severity of the lesion incurred and on how early treatment is established. The choice of whether to use orotracheal intubation or tracheotomy to control the upper airway was less important, as that decision would depend largely on severity of the lesion, although orotracheal intubation is recommended whenever possible.