Abstract
Ten patients with acute laryngotracheal trauma were observed in our department from 1988 to 1997. They included 4 cases with an open injury and 6 cases with a closed injury. All of the open injuries were due to penetration trauma. The causes of the closed trauma were traffic accidents in 5 cases and an attempted suicide in 1 case. In acute laryngotracheal injury, the maintenance of airway patency should be the first consideration. After achieving an airway, open injuries should be treated during the acute phase. In closed injuries, damage to the respiratory mucosa and cartilagenous framework should be estimated by fiberoptic endoscopy and computed tomography. Proper initial management during the acute phase prevents airway and phonation troubles in subsequent chronic phases.
