Tracheal rupture following a blunt neck injury sustained from an industrial accident : a case report

Publication Date

2015

Document Type

Research

Abstract

A case of tracheal rupture following a blunt neck injury from an industrial accident. Mechanism of injury, presentation, diagnosis and management are discussed. A crushing mechanism of injury was identified. The patient had subcutaneous emphysema but was, otherwise, stable. A plain computed tomography of the neck diagnosed the tracheal injury. Bronchoscopy was attempted after diagnosis. A surgical exploration was conducted and a primary repair of the tracheal transection using polypropylene sutures was carried out. High index of suspicion is needed for timely diagnosis of this uncommon injury which may pose significant morbidity or mortality if left untreated promptly. An alternative to the recommended diagnostic bronchoscopy is a plain computed tomography of the neck and thorax among those who are stable.

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