title: Cervical pharyngoesophageal and laryngotracheal injuries.
abstract: Aerodigestive tract injuries in the neck are found in about 7% of penetrating neck injuries and are very rare in blunt trauma. A combination of a good physical examination with endoscopy and esophagography can reliably diagnose all significant injuries. Airway control in laryngotracheal trauma is the most urgent priority and is often a difficult procedure. Although selected small pharyngeal and laryngotracheal injuries may be managed nonoperatively, all other aerodigestive tract injuries should be managed with early operation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma and Critical Care, University of Southern California, 1510 San Pablo Street, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA. demetria@hsc.usc.edu
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Demetriades
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Velmahos
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Asensio
mesh_terms: D004947:Esophagus / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D007830:Larynx / Q000293:injuries*; D009333:Neck; D010614:Pharynx / Q000293:injuries*; D014132:Trachea / Q000293:injuries*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy