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Case Reports
. 2020 Jan;9(1):e24-e28.
doi: 10.1055/s-0040-1710586. Epub 2020 May 22.

Tracheal Transection-A Novel Airway Management

Felix Fleißner  1 , Max Eike Timm  2 , Carl Philipp Lang  2 , Thomas Lenarz  2 , Christian Kühn  1 , Daniel Benjamin Jaeger  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Tracheal Transection-A Novel Airway Management

Felix Fleißner et al. Thorac Cardiovasc Surg Rep. 2020 Jan.

Abstract

Background Traumatic injury of the trachea is rare, especially complete transection. Its operative revision requires an interdisciplinary approach. Case Description We hereby present a rare case of complete transection of the trachea by accident. To stabilize the patient and to allow for safe surgery, veno-venous extracorporeal support was initiated via the subclavian artery and the femoral vein. The patient was subsequently operated, and the trachea re-anastomosed with favorable outcome. Conclusion This rare case of an accidental transection of the trachea shows the importance of a good emergency rescue chain and the ability to facilitate interdisciplinary approaches in tertiary hospitals.

Keywords: airway; emergency room; extracorporeal life support; trachea.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest None declared.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Computed tomography showing the direct cannulation of the trachea.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
A 15-Fr cannula inserted into the left subclavian vein for ECLS support. The endotracheal tube (ET) is fixed with gauze bandages and a cervical collar. ECLS, extracorporeal life support.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Intraoperative situs of the wound. The trachea is completely dissected; however, despite the severe trauma, no major vessels were damaged.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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