Abstract
Objective: External laryngeal trauma is a rare event. Otolaryngologists need to be well informed about the characteristics and mechanisms, so as to avoid a persistent voice problem. In the present retrospective study, we reviewed the data of 32 patients of laryngeal trauma who were treated at our department between 2000 and 2021 to investigate the clinical characteristics and voice outcomes.
Methods: Details of several patient characteristics (age, symptom, cause of trauma, classification, treatment, voice condition) were collected from the patients’ records. In addition, we statistically compared the voice conditions of the patients before and after treatment.
Results: The patients ranged in age from 13 to 81 years (median: 39 years). The presenting symptoms in the total of 32 cases were hoarseness (84%), neck pain (16%), dysphasia (6%), dyspnea (6%), and odynophagia (3%). Laryngeal trauma was caused by sports accident (38%), traffic accident, violence, fall (16% each), and suicide attempt (3%). According to the Umeno classification, 23 patients were classified into Group 3, 8 into Group 1, and 1 into Group 4. Surgical treatments were provided for 14 patients (44%). Reduction of thyroid and cricoid cartilage was performed in 11 (34%) and 2 cases (6%), respectively. Thyroplasty was performed in 2 cases (6%), injection laryngoplasty in 1 case, and mucosal treatment with laryngofissure in 1 case. In regard to voice evaluation, significant improvement was observed in maximum phonation time and amplitude perturbation quotient. Especially in the surgery group, the highest fundamental frequency showed a remarkable tendency to increase, leading to a significantly expanded voice range.
Conclusion: We examined 32 cases of laryngeal trauma and demonstrated desirable voice outcomes. Voice examination seems to be useful to evaluate the treatment outcomes in patients with laryngeal trauma.
