[Tracheobronchial injuries]

Abstract

Background: We aimed in this study to investigate and compare the diagnostic and therapeutic methods in tracheobronchial injuries.

Methods: Nine cases (7 male, 2 female) operated between 2003 and 2008 because of tracheobronchial injury were included in the study. The cause of tracheobronchial injury was trauma in 7 cases and postintubation laceration in 2 cases. The cases were evaluated in terms of age, sex, type of trauma, clinical findings, localization of injury, performed diagnostic and therapeutic methods, and results.

Results: The causes of tracheobronchial laceration were blunt trauma in 6 cases, penetrating trauma in 1 case and iatrogenic (postintubation) in 2 cases. Lacerations were in the trachea in 5 cases and at the bronchial level in 4 cases. Operations included right upper bilobectomy in 1 case, tracheal resection and end to end anastomosis in 1 case, end to end anastomosis in 3 cases, and primary repair in 4 cases. One case died during the operation and 1 case died postoperatively.

Conclusion: In tracheobronchial injuries, early diagnosis and treatment are very important. The most useful method is bronchoscopy for determining the type and localization of the injury. In treatment, primary repair should be preferred over anatomical resections whenever possible.