External laryngeal trauma: analysis of thirty cases

A retrospective analysis of thirty patients with external laryngeal trauma was performed to assess the type and extent of injuries commonly seen as well as the outcome following treatment. Outcome was assessed both in terms of voice and airway. Major laryngeal injuries (19 cases) outnumbered minor injuries (11 cases). A good correlation exists between the symptoms of haemoptysis and stridor at presentation and severity of the injury (p = 0.002). Early surgical intervention is associated with better outcome (p = 0.01). However there is no statistically significant difference in outcome between major and minor injuries (p = 0.3) indicating that other factors are operative in determining outcome. Based on our findings a management strategy for patients with external laryngeal trauma is outlined.