Complete Transection of the Cervical Trachea Caused by Chest Blunt Trauma
Yamada, M.; Abiko, M.
Kyobu Geka. Japanese Journal of Thoracic Surgery 69(13): 1081-1085
2016
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-5252 PMID: 27909277 Document Number: 686627
A 52-year-old man was injured when driving through the gate by a motorcycle without noticing the rope between the gateposts. He developed hoarseness, subcutaneous emphysema and dyspnea, and was transferred to our hospital by an ambulance. Chest X-ray and computed tomography showed subcutaneous and mediastinal emphysema, and complete transection of the cervical trachea. Since respiratory distress progressed rapidly, we performed tracheostomy in the intensive care unit, and the patient was carried to the operating room. Tracheoplasty was performed with 3-0 prolene. The postoperative course was satisfactory except for bilateral recurrent nerve palsy.