SEVERE LARYNGEAL INJURY CAUSED BY BLUNT TRAUMA TO THE NECK - A CASE-REPORT

Acute blunt laryngeal trauma can be a life-threatening event and often poses a difficult airway management problem. Patients may be unable t o supply important anemnestic facts because of aphonia or intubation a s a result of their injury. Therefore the immediate recognition and ap propriate initial assessment and treatment are vital for a successful outcome. The first step is assuring an appropriate airway, either by c areful intubation or temporary tracheotomy. An assessment of potential vascular and oesophageal injuries must be undertaken. The use of comp uterized tomography (CT) with contrast material is especially useful i n identifying and localizing the damage caused by blunt neck injuries. Laryngeal fractures, air in the soft tissues and the extravasation of contrast material in the neck are all helpful in assessing the injuri es before surgical intervention. Immediate initial surgery is aimed at stabilizing the cartilaginous framework and repairing the mucosa. We present a case of severe laryngeal injury caused by blunt trauma to th e neck; our evaluation, treatment and the outcome.