title: Analysis of clinical feature and management of laryngeal fracture: recent 22 case review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Laryngeal fracture is rare, but complications are frequent and severe. Controversy still exists in regards to its proper management. The aim of this study was to present the clinical findings and management of laryngeal fracture in Korea.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed the medical records of 22 patients with laryngeal fracture at a tertiary care trauma center from 2000 to 2010 retrospectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 22 patients (19 men and 3 woman) presented with laryngeal fractures caused by blunt (n=13) or penetrating (n=9) injury. Pain (68.1%), odynophagia (68.1%), hoarseness (18.1%), hemoptysis (13.6%), and subcutaneous emphysema (9%) were the common presenting symptoms and noncomminuted fracture was common. High velocity blunt trauma (mostly traffic accidents) patients had more extensive injury and poor voice outcomes. Penetrating trauma patients due to physical assault or suicide attempt demonstrated more frequently injuries on the left side.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In driver-caused traffic accidents, where injuries in a wide area within the larynx occurred, poor voice results were seen, and these injuries required aggressive treatment. When endotracheal intubation was performed at experienced emergency centers with fiberoptic laryngoscopes, airway management was safely achieved. In addition, if the fractured laryngeal framework was corrected at appropriate times, voice results were good.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 660-702, Korea.
authors.forename: Jin Pyeong
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sang Jae
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Hee Young
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Son
authors.forename: Jung Je
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Seung Hoon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Woo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007830:Larynx / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D014831:Voice / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult