External laryngotracheal trauma: a case series and an algorithmic management strategy.

OBJECTIVES: External laryngotracheal trauma (ELT), blunt or penetrating, is a rare but potentially life-threatening injury. Immediate care in the emergency department can be challenging because it requires managing a potentially unstable airway and may have associated vascular injuries with massive bleeding. Here, we look at the details of injury, treatment measures, and outcomes in patients following ELT. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 22 patients treated at our center for ELT from January 2005 up to December 2021 with varying grades of injury. We looked at their status at presentation, management strategy and functional status. RESULTS: In our report, we include 18 men and 4 women having varying Schaefer injury grades. Eight patients had tracheostomy at presentation and eight had vocal fold immobility. Two patients were treated endoscopically, 12 had open surgery and 8 received no treatment. Of the patients undergoing open surgery, thyroid cartilage fracture was seen in 9 patients, thyroid plus cricoid fracture and cricotracheal separation were seen in 3 patients each. All patients were safely decannulated and spontaneous recovery of vocal cord palsy was seen in some patients. CONCLUSION: The success of managing ELT relies on fast decision-making, correct patient evaluation, securing the airway and maintaining the hemodynamic stability. Early surgical intervention must be aimed at optimally treating the larygotracheal injuries to prevent long-term disastrous consequences.

Displaced transverse laryngeal fracture from attempted hanging.

Laryngeal fractures are life-threatening injuries, frequently associated with long-term morbidity. We present a case of a man sustaining a displaced laryngeal fracture and rupture of supraglottic structures following attempted suicide by hanging from a bridge. His injuries included a tear of the thyrohyoid membrane, avulsed epiglottis and complete autopharyngotomy. All laryngeal functions were significantly impaired. Early tracheostomy, careful surgical repair, extensive multidisciplinary team (MDT) input and intensive rehabilitation all contributed towards a successful recovery. By 7 months following the initial injury, the patient had achieved excellent breathing and voicing, and a safe and competent swallow despite the extent of his initial injuries. This case demonstrates the importance of early airway management in laryngeal trauma and the role of surgical management in conjunction with swallow rehabilitation. Fundamentally, an MDT approach is essential for the holistic management of patients with laryngeal trauma.

CT Findings in Laryngeal Trauma and the Clinical Implications.

PURPOSE: Acute traumatic osseous and cartilaginous injuries to the larynx are rare injuries presenting to the emergency department. Despite the low reported incidence, laryngeal trauma carries a high morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study is to identify fracture and soft tissue injury patterns in laryngeal trauma and explore associations with patient demographics, mechanisms of injury, urgent airway and surgical intervention. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with laryngeal injury who underwent multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) imaging was performed. The CT findings of laryngeal and hyoid fracture location, fracture displacement, and soft tissue injuries were recorded. Clinical data including patient demographics, mechanisms of injury, frequency of airway and surgical intervention were also recorded. Correlation of imaging characteristics with patient demographics, mechanism of injury and interventions were assessed for statistical significance using χ2 and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: The median patient age was 40 years old with a strong male predominance. The most common mechanisms of injury included motor vehicle collisions and penetrating gunshot wounds. Thyroid cartilage fractures were the most common fracture type. Findings of fracture displacement and airway hematoma had a higher correlation with requiring urgent airway management. CONCLUSION: Radiologists' early recognition and prompt communication of laryngeal trauma to the clinical service is important to reduce associated morbidity and mortality. Displaced fractures and laryngeal hematomas should be promptly conveyed to the clinical service as they are associated with more complex injuries and higher rates of urgent airway management and surgical intervention.

Successful management of an unstable paediatric laryngeal injury in a low-resource setting.

Laryngeal injury is rare but has a very high mortality rate. Compared to adults, laryngeal injury in children is more uncommon due to both behavioural and anatomical reasons. Severe laryngeal injury may require surgical repair, intensive care support and tracheostomy care, all of which are difficult to achieve in a low resource setting. We report a case of successful management of laryngeal trauma in a child involving an emergency tracheostomy insertion, open repair of thyroid cartilage fracture, tracheal stenting and successful decannulation after 8 weeks post-injury with full recovery.

Pill Ingestion and Caustic Laryngeal Injury.

OBJECTIVE: To highlight an unusual mechanism of laryngeal injury. METHODS: Case report and literature review. RESULTS: A 66-year-old male ingested an over-the-counter preparation of bile acids as a dietary supplement. The capsule lodged in the patient's pharynx, and he sustained a caustic injury to the supraglottic and glottic larynx. His injury was managed conservatively, and his symptoms gradually resolved over a period of 8 weeks. A follow-up laryngoscopy at 8 weeks and 6 months showed no signs of injury. A barium swallow at 8 weeks was normal at that time and videostroboscopy results normalized with resolution of the injury as well. CONCLUSIONS: Caustic injury to the upper aerodigestive tract from pill ingestion is uncommon, and laryngeal injury even less so. Urgent evaluation should be undertaken, and appropriate therapies instituted promptly. Laryngeal injury can respond to conservative therapy, but there is a lack of clinical information to evaluate optimum treatment of this unusual injury.

Management of paediatric laryngotracheal trauma.

OBJECTIVE: To summarise and describe the clinical presentations, diagnostic approaches and airway management techniques in children with laryngotracheal trauma. METHODS: The clinical data related to laryngotracheal trauma diagnosed and treated at the Beijing Children's Hospital, between January 2013 and July 2018, were retrospectively reviewed. Disease diagnosis, treatment, management and outcomes were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 13 cases were enrolled, including 7 cases of penetrating laryngotracheal trauma. The six cases of blunt laryngotracheal trauma were caused by collisions with hard objects. In all cases, voice, airway and swallowing outcomes were graded as 'good', except for one patient who had residual paralysis of the vocal folds. CONCLUSION: Flexible fibre-optic laryngoscopy and computed tomography can play an important role in diagnosing laryngotracheal trauma. The airway should be secured and, if necessary, opened by tracheal intubation or tracheostomy.

Laryngeal trauma: a review of current diagnostic and management strategies.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to provide the most up to date information on evaluation and management of laryngeal trauma. RECENT FINDINGS: Timely diagnosis and proper treatment of laryngeal fractures are imperative for preserving a functional larynx. This review will focus on evaluation and management strategies. SUMMARY: The larynx provides significant functions including respiration, phonation, and airway protection. Algorithms have been developed in order to standardize the evaluation and management of these injuries to preserve a functional larynx. Physicians must diagnose and treat these laryngeal traumas in a timely fashion in order to prevent morbidity and, rarely, mortality.

Laryngeal inhalational injuries: A systematic review.

Laryngeal inhalation injury carries a significant increase in mortality rate and often indicates immediate airway evaluation. This may be difficult in the setting of clinical deterioration necessitating immediate intubation, which itself can synergistically cause mucosal damage. Prior studies do not encompass predictive factors or long-term outcomes for the laryngotracheal complex. This systemic review of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane identified studies investigating inhalational injuries of the upper airway. Demographic data as well as presentation, physical findings, and delayed sequelae were documented. Laryngotracheal burn patients were divided into two cohorts based on timing of laryngeal injury diagnosis (before- versus after-airway intervention). 1051 papers met initial search criteria and 43 studies were ultimately included. Airway stenosis was more common in patients that were intubated immediately (50.0%, n = 18 versus 5.2%, n = 13; p = 0.57). Posterior glottic involvement was only identified in patients intubated prior to airway evaluation (71.4%, n = 15). All studies reported a closed space setting for those patients in whom airway intervention preceded laryngeal evaluation. Laryngeal inhalational injuries are a distinct subset that can have a variety of minor to severe laryngotracheal delayed sequelae, particularly for thermal injuries occurring within enclosed spaces. Given these findings, early otolaryngology referral may mitigate or treat these effects.

Laryngeal paralysis secondary to cervical bite injuries in five dogs.

CASE HISTORIES: Medical records of a veterinary hospital in Belgium were reviewed for dogs (n = 5) that presented between 2016 and 2019 with laryngeal paralysis secondary to bite wounds to the cervical region received while fighting with other dogs. The time elapsed between the trauma and presentation was from a few hours up to 5 days. CLINICAL FINDINGS AND TREATMENT: Bilateral laryngeal paralysis was identified in three dogs and unilateral laryngeal paralysis in two dogs via endoscopic assessment of laryngeal function. The primary concomitant lesions included tracheal injury in 3/5 dogs and oesophageal injury in 1/5 dogs. One dog with bilateral laryngeal paralysis was treated medically as no signs of dyspnoea were present. Surgical management was elected in 4/5 dogs based on evaluation of their clinical status and lesions revealed by endoscopic examination of upper gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. Dogs underwent surgical procedures that were determined to be appropriate for treatment of the lesions identified on clinical examination, diagnostic imaging, and endoscopy. The cervical region was explored through a ventral midline approach in 2/4 cases, to close tracheal perforations. Temporary tracheostomy was performed in 2/4 cases. Procedures to correct brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome were performed in 2/4 cases. Cricoarytenoid lateralisation was performed in 2/4 dogs. Dogs were hospitalised for 2-10 days and received antimicrobial therapy before surgery and for 2-3 weeks after surgery. Physical examination and respiratory function were normal in 3/5 dogs 4-6 months after discharge. Information regarding outcomes for two cases was obtained from the owners by telephone assessment 1-6 months after surgery. The owner of each dog reported the respiratory function to be excellent. DIAGNOSIS: Uni- or bilateral, transient or permanent laryngeal paralysis with concomitant oesophageal, tracheal, or laryngeal lesions following cervical dog bite injuries diagnosed by endoscopic examination of upper gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This case series describes the diagnosis and management of dogs with laryngeal paralysis secondary to cervical dog bite injuries. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first published report documenting bilateral laryngeal paralysis secondary to cervical dog bite injuries. Clinicians should be aware of this pathology and the importance of investigating laryngeal function in dogs presenting with cervical bites, particularly those with inspiratory dyspnoea. Upper airway and digestive endoscopy are recommended for complete assessment of cervical traumatic injuries.

Management of Laryngeal Trauma.

The larynx is a complex anatomic structure and a properly functioning larynx is essential for breathing, voice, and swallowing. Laryngeal trauma is often associated with other injuries, including intracranial injuries, penetrating neck injuries, cervical spine fractures, and facial fractures. Although uncommon, laryngotracheal injuries may lead to life-threatening airway emergencies. Because laryngeal injuries are rare, even surgeons with a great deal of experience in managing maxillofacial trauma have limited exposure to management of laryngeal and tracheal injury. This article reviews a protocol for the evaluation, management, and treatment of these injuries in the trauma patient.

Five autopsy reports of rib fractures in the mental hospital of Reggio Emilia (1874-5): pathogenesis proposal in defence of the 'non-restraint' system.

At the end of the nineteenth century, recurrent cases of rib fractures were recorded in psychiatric asylums, opening a long chapter of discussions about the application of the 'non-restraint' system. Here we present a brief discussion of an article written by Enrico Morselli about five cases of rib fractures in the mental asylum of Reggio Emilia, in 1874-5. Morselli, a supporter of the ideas of 'non-restraint', suggested a common pathological cause. His analysis proposed the osteomalacic condition as the possible cause of fractured ribs, rejecting the accusations of violence by asylum attendants. The discussion also examines similar cases of the same period, making rib fractures the means through which the issue of management of the insane was addressed.

Management of traumatic laryngotracheal separation: Case series and review.

Laryngotracheal separation injuries are a rare but serious condition, as survival from such injuries relies on proper airway management. As a result, recommendations for management have been based on small case reports and expert opinion. We reviewed our last 10 years of experience with managing laryngotracheal separation injuries and identified 6 cases for chart review. Awake tracheostomy or videolaryngobronchoscopy was used in each case to initially obtain the airway. Surgical repair was then performed immediately using nonabsorbable monofilament suture or a miniplate, and a low fenestrated tracheostomy was placed. All of our patients who followed up were decannulated, eating regular diets, and had satisfactory voice quality at 3 months postoperatively. Review of the literature revealed that, while management strategies have changed over time, treatment still varies widely depending on surgeon preference and the details of each injury. Outcomes from our series suggest that our described techniques and management strategies can be used with good outcomes. We believe that this is due to securing a safe airway, early surgical intervention with no unnecessary tissue dissection, effective reconstruction of the airway, and the fenestrated tracheostomy technique.

Considerations and Management of a Laryngeal Fracture after Sneezing.

Non-traumatic laryngeal fracture is uncommon but should be suspected whenever patients present with dysphonia, odynophagia, dysphagia, neck crepitus, or hemoptysis following a sneeze or coughing episode. Physical examination coupled with computed tomography is essential for making the diagnosis. Management can vary depending on the severity of the case, but the general approach is similar to any trauma. In this report, we describe a non-traumatic laryngeal fracture that occurred following a forceful sneeze. The case was notable for the presence of pneumomediastinum, independent mobility of the thyroid ala, and operative intervention was pursued to repair the fracture.

Early Intervention for the Treatment of Acute Laryngeal Injury After Intubation.

Importance: Patients with laryngeal injury after endotracheal intubation often present long after initial injury with mature fibrosis compromising cricoarytenoid joint mobility and glottic function. Objective: To compare functional outcomes between early and late intervention for intubation-related laryngeal injury. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study involved 29 patients with laryngeal injury resulting from endotracheal intubation who were evaluated at a tertiary care center between May 1, 2014, and June 1, 2018. Ten patients with intubation injury to the posterior glottis who received early treatment were compared with 19 patients presenting with posterior glottic stenosis who received late treatment. Statistical analysis was performed from May 1 to July 1, 2019. Exposures: Early intervention, defined as a procedure performed 45 days or less after intubation, and late treatment, defined as an intervention performed greater than 45 days after intubation. Main Outcomes and Measures: Patient-specific and intervention-specific covariates were compared between the 2 groups, absolute differences with 95% CIs were calculated, and time to tracheostomy decannulation was compared using log-rank testing. Results: The 2 groups had similar demographic characteristics and a similar burden of comorbid disease. Ten patients who received early intervention (7 women [70%]; median age, 59.7 years [range, 31-72 years]; median, 34.7 days to presentation [IQR, 1.5-44.8 days]) were compared with 19 patients who received late intervention (11 women [58%]; median age, 53.8 years [range, 34-73 years]; median, 341.9 days to presentation [IQR, 132.7-376.3 days]). Nine of 10 patients (90%) who received early intervention and 11 of 19 patients (58%) who received late interventions were decannulated at last follow-up (absolute difference, 32%; 95% CI, -3% to 68%). Patients who received early treatment required fewer total interventions than patients with mature lesions (mean, 2.2 vs 11.5; absolute difference, 9.3; 95% CI, 6.4-12.1). In addition, none of the patients who received early treatment required an open procedure, whereas 17 patients (90%) with mature lesions required open procedures to pursue decannulation. Conclusions and Relevance: This study suggests that early intervention for patients with postintubation laryngeal injury was associated with a decreased duration of tracheostomy dependence, a higher rate of decannulation, and fewer surgical procedures compared with late intervention. Patients who underwent early intervention also avoided open reconstruction. These findings may bear relevance to the management of patients requiring extended durations of endotracheal intubation during recovery for critical illness related to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

Operative Management of Vocal Fold Avulsion Following Pediatric Laryngotracheal Separation.

Laryngotracheal disruption in children is rare but life-threatening, and endolaryngeal injuries may go overlooked. We present the case of a 10-year-old boy who sustained near-complete laryngotracheal separation, multiple laryngeal fractures, and arytenoid and vocal fold avulsion following blunt cervical trauma. These injuries were not identified radiographically and only became apparent intraoperatively. Following surgical repair, the patient was successfully decannulated, eating a normal diet, and had a serviceable speaking voice within 2 months. In children, the diagnosis of severe endolaryngeal injuries may be elusive and therefore require high degree of clinical suspicion. Surgical success requires accurate diagnosis and prompt intervention.

Current Practices in Endotracheal Tube Size Selection for Adults.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Intubation with inappropriately sized endotracheal tubes (ETT) can cause long-term tracheal and laryngeal injuries often requiring surgical intervention. Although tracheal size has been demonstrated to vary based on height and sex, it is unclear whether these guidelines are regularly implemented in patients undergoing endotracheal intubation. The objective of this study is to determine the rate of appropriate ETT size selection in patients undergoing intubation and assess provider decision making in ETT size selection. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: The study population was all patients who underwent endotracheal intubation over a two-week period at a tertiary academic medical center. Data were collected on patient age, gender, height, BMI, comorbidities, ETT size, duration of intubation, bronchoscopies, and type of practitioner who performed the intubation. A height-based nomogram for ETT size selection was used to determine the recommended ETT size for each patient. RESULTS: One hundred five patients met the inclusion criteria. 22% of patients were intubated with an inappropriately large tube, defined as 1.0 mm larger than the recommended size. Women were more likely to be intubated with an inappropriately large ETT (OR = 13.58, P = .001), as were patients with height less than 160 cm (OR = 141, P = .001). Other factors related to disease severity, anticipation for bronchoscopy, and BMI were not risk factors for the use of inappropriately large ETT. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is compelling evidence that height is a strong predictor of tracheal morphology and appropriate ETT size, height-based guidelines have yet to be universally adopted for ETT size selection. Laryngoscope, 131:1967-1971, 2021.

Cricotracheal separation: do not get fooled by what you see.

INTRODUCTION: Laryngeal involvement in neck trauma is quite considerable. The presence of a cricotracheal separation type of injury can be easily missed and overlooked, especially if the neck does not show any external signs. Blunt trauma to the neck affects many anatomical structures inside the intact-looking neck that threatens the victim's life. At exploration, the surgeon must be aware of the full impact of the injury on different neck structures. AIM OF WORK: Raise the attention on the proper management of laryngeal trauma victims. PATIENTS AND METHOD: This is a retrospective study carried out on 23 patients who suffered from cricotracheal separation as a result of laryngeal trauma. RESULTS: Cricotracheal separation is a frequent finding in an innocent-looking neck. The mechanism of the trauma itself is an excellent clue to suspect its presence. CONCLUSION: This type of laryngeal injury must be kept in mind and must be suspected. Some recommendations and guidelines are presented on the proper handling of such patients.