Tracheal tear from blunt neck trauma in children: Diagnosis and management

Abstract

We describe the management of posterior trachea tears after blunt neck trauma in two children. The first, a 5 year-old boy who fell off his scooter, causing a 1.0cm tear in the membranous cervical trachea, was managed conservatively with 5 days of intubation. The second, a 12 year-old girl who fell on her bicycle, causing a 4.0cm tear in the membranous thoracic trachea, was repaired with thoracoscopic techniques. The presumed mechanism may be expansion of the U-shaped cartilage with tear of the membranous trachea. The size, location, and severity of symptoms dictate the decision about primary repair versus conservative management.

Keywords: Blunt neck trauma; Pneumothorax; Tracheal tear.