Repair of a laryngeal fracture using miniplates.
Injuries to the larynx (voice box) can lead to loss of vital functions; the airway may be obstructed, the voice distorted or lost, and the protection of the airway during swallowing may fail. In order to preserve these functions, a stable repair that restores the anatomy as closely as possible is needed. The repair should interfere minimally with the neuromuscular functions of the larynx. The case is described of a 59-year-old male who suffered a severe laryngeal fracture in a work-place accident. Utilizing miniplates, the fracture was reduced and fixed in the correct position. After healing, the patient could be decannulated and has regained his voice, swallows without difficulty and has a patent airway. The results have been sustained over a 2-year follow-up.
Thor
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Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Uppsala University Hospital, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden. andreas.thor@lul.se
Linder
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D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D001860:Bone Plates; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007830:Larynx / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013065:Speech Intelligibility; D014139:Tracheostomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000601:surgery*