The management of laryngeal fractures using internal fixation.
BACKGROUND
Laryngeal fracture is a rare injury with the potential to affect all functions of the larynx. Restoration of the laryngeal framework is critical for the rehabilitation of laryngeal function.


OBJECTIVE
To ascertain the efficacy of adaptation plate fixation (APF) to repair the laryngeal skeleton.


METHODS
Retrospective review of the clinical data of all patients who underwent APF of laryngeal fractures from January 1989 to September 1999.


RESULTS
Our series consisted of 16 men and 4 women presenting with laryngeal fractures caused by blunt (n = 16) or penetrating (n = 4) trauma. Most of these patients presented with severe fractures classified as category III (n = 6), IV (n = 10), or V (n = 1), according to the Schaefer-Fuhrman classification. All patients who required a tracheotomy (n = 13) were de-cannulated. Nineteen of the 20 patients recovered a social voice. The exception was a patient with aphasia secondary to head trauma No patient had aspiration problems. We encountered no complication associated with the use of APF.


CONCLUSIONS
APF is an effective and well-tolerated method to repair laryngeal fractures.
de Mello-Filho
F V
FV
University of São Paolo, Ribeimo Preto Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Brazil.
Carrau
R L
RL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007830:Larynx / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000601:surgery; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000601:surgery