Laryngotracheal Blunt Trauma

Abstract

The incidence of laryngotracheal trauma is probably more than reported in medical records. The majority of cases of laryngotracheal trauma causes mild symptoms such as temporary hoarseness and shortness of breath due to laryngeal edema. The elasticity of the thyroid cartilage prevents more serious consequences. The most common causes are sports traumas and traffic accidents. In a minority of the cases, fracture of the thyroid and/or cricoid cartilage or laryngotracheal separation can occur leading to an acute airway problem requiring emergency intervention to provide airway patency. In the long term, reconstruction of the cartilage framework of the airway and/or repositioning of the vocal chords could be necessary.