Trends in blunt laryngotracheal trauma in children.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the presentation, mechanisms, and management of blunt laryngotracheal trauma in a pediatric population, emphasizing the rise in severity.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of laryngotracheal trauma evaluated from 1995 to 2008. The presentation, mechanism, management and outcomes data are detailed.


METHODS
Tertiary medical center.


METHODS
Thirty-five patients were identified with major laryngotracheal trauma.


METHODS
Surgical results, airway patency, voicing, swallowing and other residual disabilities are tabulated.


RESULTS
Average age was 10.8 years, with boys outnumbering girls 22-13. In cases of major trauma, mechanisms were related to motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) in seven patients. Five of 11 major trauma victims were unconscious at presentation. Definitive airway reconstruction involved laryngotracheoplasty and tracheal resection/reanastomosis. Ten of 11 remain decannulated.


CONCLUSIONS
In an increasingly mobile society, major laryngotracheal trauma is occurring in a younger population. Victims of major laryngotracheal trauma may be unconscious or have other injuries that obscure airway injury, highlighting the need for vigilance. Once the airway is secured and the patient stabilized, airway reconstruction is undertaken, achieving decannulation in most patients. Hoarseness is often a lasting morbidity.
Wootten
Christopher T
CT
Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA. ctwootten@gmail.com
Bromwich
Matthew A
MA
Myer
Charles M
CM
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007830:Larynx / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014132:Trachea / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000628:therapy*