title: Complete tracheal transection following blunt trauma in a pediatric patient.
abstract: Tracheal injury from blunt trauma is a rare, life-threatening condition in pediatric patients. Rapid assessment and identification of the severity of the injury will increase the likelihood of survival. Subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, and persistent pneumothoraces after chest tube placement should be considered in the index of suspicion for tracheal injury. Treatment for a complete tracheal transection includes rapid airway securement via endotracheal tube or tracheostomy and careful surgical repair in the operating room in conjunction with bronchoscopy.
authors.affiliation: Janet Weis Children's Hospital at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania (Ms Holmes and Ms Hanson).
authors.forename: Jessica E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.forename: Carol A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Hanson
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000379:methods; D014132:Trachea / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D014139:Tracheostomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*