Published online Feb 6, 2022. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i4.1394
Peer-review started: September 5, 2021
First decision: December 1, 2021
Revised: December 8, 2021
Accepted: December 23, 2021
Article in press: December 23, 2021
Published online: February 6, 2022
Processing time: 140 Days and 23.3 Hours
Although external penetrating laryngeal trauma is rare in the clinic, such cases often result in a high mortality rate. The early recognition of injury, protection of the airway, one-stage laryngeal reconstruction with miniplates and interdisciplinary cooperation are important in the treatment of such patients.
A 58-year-old male worker sustained a penetrating injury in the left neck. After computed tomography scanning at a local hospital, he was transferred to our hospital, where he underwent tracheotomy, neck exploration, extraction of the foreign object, debridement and repair of the thyroid cartilage using titanium miniplates. An endo laryngeal stent was inserted, which was removed 12 days later. The patient recovered well and his voice rapidly improved after surgery.
Penetrating laryngeal trauma is uncommon. We successfully treated a patient with early laryngeal reconstruction and management by interdisciplinary cooperation.
Core Tip: External penetrating laryngeal trauma is rare, and is associated with a high mortality rate. We report a 58-year-old male worker with a penetrating injury to the left neck caused by a metal fragment. The patient underwent tracheotomy, neck exploration, extraction of the neck foreign body, debridement and repair of the thyroid cartilage with titanium miniplates and endolaryngeal stenting. The patient recovered well and his voice rapidly improved. The good recovery of this patient highlights the importance of early laryngeal reconstruction and management by interdisciplinary cooperation.