Survival after traumatic complete laryngotracheal transection

Abstract

Laryngotracheal trauma may result in lifelong complications or even death if diagnosis or treatment is delayed. Emergency department physicians, trauma surgeons, anesthesiologists, and especially thoracic surgeons should maintain a high level of awareness of and suspicion for laryngotracheal trauma whenever a patient present with multiple trauma in general or with cervical-thoracic trauma in particular. A blunt or penetrating laryngotracheal injury can result in acute airway obstruction and death at the scene of an accident or crime. In recent years, advances in emergency services, including better evacuation procedures and heightened training, have improved survival rates. In this article, we present a case of survival after complete laryngotracheal transection for blunt cervical and thoracic trauma.